BOSTON — Two wins short of a championship last June, the Celtics reloaded with the roster that got them there but also improved depth that they hope will push them over the top.
That depth has been tested in the opening month of the season in the absence of Rob Williams but not quite in the way it was on Friday. Against another title-contending squad on Friday night, they passed another test.
Without Malcolm Brogdon — who’s been so instrumental in their early-season success — the Celtics didn’t miss a beat. Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Jaylen Brown added 25 but it was important contributions elsewhere that propelled the C’s to their fifth consecutive victory. Al Horford hit six 3-pointers, Grant Williams was key on both ends, and even Payton Pritchard played a significant role as the Celtics overcame 29 points from Nikola Jokic in a 131-112 win over the Nuggets.
