The Utah Jazz have yet to win against the Denver Nuggets in three meetings so far this season, but they will look to go up 1-o in this series that’s about to start on Monday. The Nuggets won’t make things easy for the Jazz, though, especially with big man Nikola Jokic leading the way for Denver. Check out our preview of this game below.
The Jazz ended the seeding games on a positive note, as they beat the San Antonio Spurs last Thursday, 118-112, to also end a three-game losing skid. The best player in the bubble so far for Utah is Rudy Gobert, who incidentally a big reason why the NBA had to suspend the league back in March. Gobert Much can be said about the offensive prowess of Donovan Mitchell, but Gobert possesses an asset Utah can’t easily find in other Jazz players. Gobert’s defense is crucial to the Jazz, to say the least. Since the NBA restarted, Gobert is averaging 15.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He will be the key instrument for the Jazz in trying to limit Nikola Jokic right from the get-go of this series. Gobert had 22 points, 13 boards, and a block in the Jazz’s 134-132 double-overtime loss to Denver last Aug. 8.
Denver will look to prove it can turn on the switch in the playoffs. The Nuggets have lost all of their last three games in the Bubble, though, many would say that’s largely due to Denver not putting much on those contests since the team was already going to the playoffs. The Nuggets have indeed given their key pieces plenty of time to rest and role players lots of playing time of late. But in the playoffs, the Nuggets will definitely go all out, with Jokic leading the way. Jokic is averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in the Bubble despite lower minutes of 29.3 per contest. Michael Porter Jr. could also see a significant role after opening the eyes of basketball fans with his fantastic showing down in Orlando. Since the restart, the youngster is averaging 22.0 points per game and is shooting 42.2 percent from deep. He will have to continue providing offense and step up on defense, especially if Gary Harris continues to miss games with a hip issue.
The Nuggets are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games against the Jazz.
