Nuggets-Jazz Preview
By Matt Welch
The Nuggets will take on the Utah Jazz for the third time this season. After winning by twenty in the first encounter and losing by just two the second time around, the Nuggets hope they can repeat what they did in the early part of the season.
Denver is 6-4 in their last ten games and 10-2 at home this season. Utah is posting a lackluster 3-10 performance in their last ten and just 6-13 on the road this season. This statistic ultimately gives the Nuggets a slight edge.
Ty Lawson should be able to go, but look for Andre Miller to step in and provide some relief. Denver will be looking for Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala to step up and put some points on the board. Iguodala has struggled as of late and Nugget fans are hoping that he can shake off the funk and come through for them against a division opponent. The Jazz will look for a big game out of center Al Jefferson, their leading scorer and rebounder.
The stat of the night to keep an eye on will be rebounding. The Nuggets lead the league on the boards with 46.1 per game. The Jazz rank 13th with 43.0 per game. Denver’s Kenneth Faried ranks 10th in the league, averaging 10.0 boards per game, with just about equal amounts coming from both sides of the court. Jefferon is right on his heels, ranked 11th with 9.9 per game. 7.8 of those are coming from the defensive glass. The big men on both sides of the court will have their work cut out for them.
The winner of the game will take a 2-1 season series lead after the game. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM ET from the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) and Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) battle for a rebound during the first half at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports