Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler Lead Denver To 89-75 Victory Over Celtics

The Pepsi Center was filled with excitement as the Denver Nuggets' new players made their debut. At the end of the night, the fans had much to cheer about after the Nugget picked up an 89-75 victory over the Boston Celtics.

It was a different type of game for the Nuggets, as they played in a relatively low-scoring game with plenty of defense to go around. Kenyon Martin led the team with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nene chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ty Lawson, who has taken over the point, scored only four points but helped with 10 assists.

Danilo Gallinari started at small forward managed only two points, but did grab four boards and blocked three shots. Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton had impact off the bench. Chandler scored 16 points and pulled down five rebounds. Felton finished with six assists and five rebounds. J.R. Smith, who had started the previous game, added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Celtics, who had four All-Stars, were playing with a short bench after trading Kendrick Perkins and others. Paul Pierce had a team-high 17 points and Kevin Garnett grabbed 13 rebounds. Glen Davis started due to the short bench and contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Rookie Chris Johnson arrived from the NBA D-League and scored six points in 17 points off the bench.

The Nuggets (34-25, 24-7 home) split the season series with Boston. They travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Friday night. ESPN has the broadcast at 8:30 p.m. MT.

Celtics Vs. Nuggets Preview: Big Three Vs. Big Four

If the Boston Celtics can call theirs the Big Three, the Denver Nuggets might as well call theirs the Big Four.

While the Celtics Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have a championship ring, and two NBA Finals under their belt, the Nuggets newest Big Four - Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov - were brought to the Mile High City with hope of the same.

In their first game in powder blue and gold, Gallinari, Felton Chandler and Mozgov will face an uphill challenge. Not only do they have to learn a new system in a new environment with new teammates, but they have to do so on-the-fly against a team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Oh yeah, and do so in front of a nationally televised TNT audience.

If Tuesday night's Nuggets victory was any indication, the incumbents from the Melo/Chauncey administration can play a little ball also. With superstars at PG and SF, players like Nene, Ty Lawson and J.R. Smith might have deferred to their All Star piers, or not seen the court - or ball - as much as they would have without Melo and Chauncey. Now that those two are playing for the Knicks, expect to see some things from the hold-overs that you might not have otherwise expected.

But, again, tonight's game isn't about the guys the Nuggets had, it's about the guys the Nuggets got. So all eyes will be on Denver's Big Four as they take the court for the first time this season in their new home.

The game tips tonight at 8:30 MT and can be seen on TNT.