Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, right, gains control of the ball during a floor scramble with Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Celtics won 104-100. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) - Benched at the start because of lateness, Jared Sullinger made two free throws with 22.8 seconds left to break a tie and lift the Boston Celtics over the Denver Nuggets 104-100 Wednesday night.
Coach Brad Stevens kept Sullinger out of the lineup for the second straight home game after the forward was late for the afternoon shootaround. On Sunday, he was late for a walkthrough.
Sullinger wound up scoring 14 points. It was 100-all when he was fouled by Kenneth Faried driving to the basket, and he hit both free throws.
The Celtics won their second in a row and seemed energized by a loud ovation from the crowd that honored several New England Patriots who were in attendance after winning the Super Bowl. Defensive back Malcolm Butler, who saved Sunday's victory over Seattle with an interception in the closing seconds, was among those at the game.
New England Patriots football team owner Robert Kraft, left, applauds as Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, is introduced to the crowd during a break in the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. Butler made the end-of-game interception against the Seattle Seahawks which sealed the victory for the Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic, right, reaches a loose ball ahead of Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo, right, dribbles the ball after Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) turned it over in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press