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.