“We’re Here To Get Wins” | Utah Travels To Denver For Season-Opening Rematch – NBA.com
Sitting at 4-1 on the year and tied for first place in the talented Western Conference, Utah’s difficult schedule to start the season is about to take a turn towards insanity.
Over the next 17 games, the Jazz will play 11 on the road, including five sets of back-to-backs. It’s a schedule that’s beyond brutal, one of the worst at any point for any team this season.
For Utah, it all starts on Friday night in Denver when the Jazz face reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on AT&T SportsNet.
It’s the second time these two teams will meet, as Utah shocked the NBA by taking down the Nuggets 123-102 on opening night.
“My thoughts initially are, that’s a really good team win,” head coach Will Hardy said back then. “Denver is a really good team. They threw a big punch in the second half. … But our guys just stuck together and we maintained our identity on the defensive and offensive end well tonight.”
Utah was able to get the victory that night by simply playing harder than the Nuggets and hitting timely shots. While Denver’s starting five played well, it was Utah’s bench that proved to be the difference maker.
The Jazz outscored the Nuggets 68-24 in points off the bench, led by four players in double figures.
However, that depth is expected to be tested against the Nuggets as Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio are both out due to health and safety protocols. Collin Sexton (left oblique contusion) and Walker Kessler (illness) are both questionable as well, meaning the Jazz could be missing a combined 48 points in the rematch.
After the great opening week to the season and still not quite getting the respect they deserve, Utah will have a chance to prove the hot start was simply a prelude of what’s to come next.
“All the good teams are getting in a rhythm and we’re not even in rhythm,” Malik Beasley said. “We’re a good team too, and that’s the message. I stand by that 100%. We’re not just a team out here just playing. We’re here to get wins.”
STATS
Utah (4-1, 2-1 away / No. 3 Western Conference)
Offense
*118.8 Points Per Game (No. 8 in NBA)
*111.2 Offensive Rating (No. 18 in NBA)
Defense
*112.1 Points Per Game (No. 15 in NBA)
*105.6 Defensive Rating (No. 6 in NBA)
*Lauri Markkanen: 22.0 points | 8.8 rebounds | 3.0 assists
*Jordan Clarkson: 18.8 points | 5.2 assists | 4.2 rebounds | 42.9% 3P-shooting
*Kelly Olynyk: 13.2 points | 4.6 rebounds | 3.8 assists | 68.8% 3P-shooting
*Malik Beasley: 12.0 points | 2.6 rebounds | 32.3% 3P-shooting
Denver (3-2, 2-0 home / No. 6 Western Conference)
Offense
*114.4 Points Per Game (No. 13 in NBA)
*11.9 Offensive Rating (No. 16 in NBA)
Defense
*119.4 Points Per Game (No. 23 in NBA)
*116.1 Defensive Rating (No. 22 in NBA)
*Nikola Jokic: 22.4points | 10.8 rebounds | 9.4 assists
*Michael Porter Jr.: 18.0 points | 5.8 rebounds | 50% 3P-shooting
*Aaron Gordon: 15.0 points | 7.6 rebounds | 2.6 assists
*Jamal Murray: 12.3 points | 3.3 assists | 3.0 rebounds
MATCHUP TO WATCH
*Lauri Markkanen vs. Aaron Gordon
— Markkanen is playing the best basketball of his young career, emerging as a legitimate No. 1 option for the Jazz. Gordon may never have become the star many expected, but he’s a very talented role player who will draw the assignment of shutting down Markkanen. The winner of this battle could very well be the deciding factor in the outcome of the game.
INJURY REPORT
Utah
QUESTIONABLE | Walker Kessler (illness)
QUESTIONABLE | Collin Sextion (left oblique contusion)
OUT | Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)
OUT | Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)
OUT | Johnny Juzang (G League – Two Way)
Denver
QUESTIONABLE | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (left ankle sprain)
QUESTIONABLE | Michael Porter Jr. (lumbar spine injury management)
QUESTIONABLE | Davon Reed (personal reasons)
OUT | Collin Gillespie (right lower leg fracture)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Ball Arena / Denver, CO
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 1280 The Zone