Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz Preview
By Evan Wheeler
The Matchup: Denver Nuggets (11-14) at Utah Jazz (10-14)
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
Time: Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m. MT
How to Watch: Altitude
Betting Line (per Bovada): Jazz by 5
Projected Starting Lineups:
Denver – PG Jameer Nelson, SG Gary Harris, SF Danilo Gallinari, PF Kenneth Faried, C Joffrey Lauvergne
Utah – PG Rodney Hood, SG Alec Burks, SF Gordon Hayward, PF Derrick Favors, C Jeff Withey
The Nuggets will look to keep the streak alive on Friday night, when they head to Utah to face the division rival Jazz. Denver has won three straight and five of their last six games, entering the playoff discussion. Utah on the other hand has really struggled of late, losing four games in a row and have been reeling since losing starting center Rudy Gobert to a sprained MCL a couple weeks ago.
The Jazz won the first meeting between the two teams back on November 5th, holding the Nuggets to just 84 points and 39 percent shooting from the field. Denver was outscored drastically from the perimeter in that game, hitting only five three-point shots compared to eleven for Utah.
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Rudy Gobert’s injury and absence could give the Nuggets a huge edge in trying to even up the score with the Jazz. Utah has struggled immensely since losing the second year Frenchmen, going 2-6 in eight games since his injury.
The Jazz are a team who relies heavily on their defense, currently ranked sixth in opponents points per game (97.7). However, their defense has really taken a hit over the last eight games without Gobert in the middle. In the eight games without Gobert this season, the Jazz have given up 105.1 points per game and really struggle to defend interiorly. Utah has given up 39 points in the paint per game and have only averaged 3.25 blocks per game as a team without Gobert.
The Nuggets recent surge over the past six games has a lot to do with their imrpvoed offense and shot selection. Over the past six games, Denver has averaged 104.1 points per game and shot 46 percent from the field, while scoring 42.6 points in the paint per game.
This inside heavy attack has helped Denver win three in a row, but they still are shooting well from the perimeter. The Nuggets have hit 10+ three-pointers in four of their last six games, while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch. Denver should continue to pound the paint here against Utah, something they could have great success with given Rudy Gobert’s absence.
Player to Watch: Derrick Favors
Favors has been a monster this season for Utah and is one of the best young big’s in the NBA today. It wasn’t too long ago when Favors was linked to the Nuggets, remember he was the main piece Denver wanted back from the Brooklyn(New Jersey at the time) Nets in a potential trade for Carmelo Anthony.
He’s consistently improved and progressed every year in Utah, becoming one of the franchise’s best players. Favors has nine double-doubles already this season and has been one of the lone bright spots for the Jazz since Gobert went down.
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During Utah’s recent 2-6 stretch, Favors has averaged 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals per game while also recording four double-doubles. Favor’s match-up with Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried will be one to watch in this game and should be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game.
Even though the Nuggets have been on a offensive resurgance of late and the Jazz are struggling, I think Utah gets the job done here. The Nuggets offensive train should come to a screeching halt in Salt Lake City on Friday night, even if the Jazz are without their defensive stalwart. Expect a tough, physical, grimy game played at a pace that won’t be ideal for the Mile High crew.
Final Score Prediction: Nuggets 87, Jazz 93