The Hive Sports

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Morry Gash of AP Photo

The Utah Jazz (18-20) returns to Salt Lake City to take on the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets (26-12) for 90’s night.

What to Look For

It’s not to give credit where credit is due. Utah has been working with an unconventional starting lineup the last seven games and having a 5-2 record including a 2-1 record on their latest road trip. The biggest improvement with this lineup is Collin Sexton has been very confident and has been able to score at will. During that seven-game stretch, Sexton is averaging 19.3/2.3/5 compared to his season averages of 16/2.6/3.8.

Kris Dunn has also been a major contributor after being the odd man out to a starter. Utah doesn’t do well when it comes to AST/TO ratio but over the last seven games Dunn has an AST/TO ratio of 6.2. Even for the season Dunn leads the team with a 3.4 AST/TO ratio with Kelly Olynyk being next in line with 2.6.

Even with this impressive guard play, Utah will need to account for Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While Denver has won three of their last four games, their backcourt has averaged 36.0/7.5/9.0. Along with MVP Nikola Jokic averaging 25.5/11.8/9.2 as Denver’s Swiss Army knife, Utah will have their hands full deciding if a defensive zone will be the best possible option tonight.

Key of the Game

Ball movement. Both teams are top-10 in terms of assists per game but their opponents don’t turn the ball over. Both Denver and Utah both only force their opponents around 12 turnovers per game. What will change the tides is if Denver and Utah will stick to their own turnover numbers as Denver rarely turns the ball over and Utah consistently turns the ball over. To try and keep momentum on their side, Utah will need to focus on having Dunn as the main facilitator and have Jordan Clarkson as just a shooting option.

Injury Report

Denver – Vlatko Cancar (knee) Out, Julian Strawther (knee) Out

Utah – Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m. MST on ESPN, KJZZ, Jazz+ and a 90’s alternative broadcast with Jeff Malone, Greg Ostertag and Bryon Russell also on Jazz+.