Celtics play the Nuggets in cross-conference contest

Denver Nuggets (46-22, second in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (43-27, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Boston and Denver play in non-conference action.

The Celtics have gone 26-10 at home. Boston is sixth in the NBA with 16.2 fast break points per game, led by Kyrie Irving averaging 3.5.

The Nuggets have gone 16-16 away from home. Denver is second in the Western Conference with 12.1 offensive rebounds per game, led by Nikola Jokic averaging 2.9. The Nuggets won the last meeting between these two squads 115-107 on Nov. 5. Jamal Murray led the way with 48 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Irving leads the Celtics averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers and scoring 23.6 points per game while shooting 41.1 percent from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown has averaged 15.1 points and collected 4.6 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent over the last 10 games for Boston.

Jokic leads the Nuggets averaging 20.3 points and has added 10.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. Murray has averaged 19.1 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 44.9 percent over the last 10 games for Denver.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 111.8 points, 46.4 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107 points on 45.6 percent shooting.

Celtics: 6-4, averaging 112.7 points, 42.9 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.7 points on 47.2 percent shooting.

Celtics Injuries: Robert Williams III: day to day (illness), Al Horford: day to day (knee), Gordon Hayward: day to day (concussion).

Nuggets Injuries: Michael Porter Jr.: out (back).