In an exciting clash of Eastern and Western Conference powerhouses, the Denver Nuggets will face the Boston Celtics on Friday, January 19. With this potential Finals preview, basketball fans are eagerly anticipating an intense battle on the court.

The Denver Nuggets are heading to Boston as part of their East Coast road trip, looking to secure a victory away from home. Led by the talented Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have maintained relative health, with Aaron Gordon listed as probable for this game despite a shoulder injury. Sitting fifth in Adjusted Net Rating (+5.2), the Nuggets have showcased their strength on offense, ranking fifth in the league with an impressive 119.5 points per game.

However, the Nuggets have struggled to find their offensive rhythm on the road, posting a record of 11-10 away from home compared to their stellar 17-4 record at home. This disparity has resulted in a scoring difference of 8.6 points on the road. Additionally, their struggles have extended to their performance against top teams, with a 5-7 record and a negative net rating when facing the top 10 teams in point differential.

On the other hand, the Boston Celtics have been a dominant force throughout the season, currently boasting a stellar record of 32-9. Their performance at home has been particularly impressive, winning all 20 of their games in front of their home crowd. As a home favorite, the Celtics have also displayed solid performances, achieving a 13-7 against-the-spread (ATS) record with an average margin of victory of 15.7 points.

One of the Celtics' key strengths lies in their exceptional 3-point shooting, leading the league in both frequency and accuracy with an astounding 39.1% from beyond the arc. While the Nuggets have done well in limiting their opponents' 3-point attempts, their 3-point percentage allowed slightly deviates from the league average.

In this matchup, the Celtics will heavily rely on Kristaps Porzingis, who has historically excelled against Jokic. In 12 career games, Porzingis has averaged 20.5 points against the Nuggets' star center. With an average of 19.1 points per game this season, Porzingis has a favorable matchup that could see him exceed his projected points line of 16.5 or 17.5.

Both teams possess elite talent and have showcased their abilities against top competition. With the Celtics' dominant home record and strong shooting from deep, they appear to have the advantage going into this game.

Basketball enthusiasts and betting enthusiasts alike will be eagerly watching this highly-anticipated showdown between the Nuggets and the Celtics. With the game set to take place on Friday, January 19, all eyes will be on Boston to witness this clash of basketball titans.