10:10 pm
January 5

Jazz @ Nuggets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Utah Jazz (27-10)

@ Denver Nuggets (18-17)

 

Current odds:

Utah Jazz: (-125)

Denver Nuggets: (+105)

 

• The spread for the game is Utah by 1 point.

• The Denver Nuggets haven’t spent as much time at home this season as many other teams. They’ve played 21 of their 35 games on the road so far this year, most of those without their full lineup intact, and the last two without their head coach. Denver won’t have a full complement of players Wednesday night, but it will get a chance to play at home when it hosts the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets haven’t dominated at Ball Arena like they have in past years, going just 8-6 with a couple of underwhelming losses tossed in. They’ll have to be well-prepared for Utah, as the Jazz lead the Northwest Division so far this season.

• The Nuggets were able to win three straight on the road despite injuries and COVID-19 absences. Head coach Michael Malone — as well as players Jeff Green, Monte Morris and Zeke Nnaji –didn’t make the trip through Texas, while Bones Hyland missed Saturday’s game at Houston. Hyland returned for the loss to the Mavericks, but the status of some other players remains murky. On Tuesday, Nnaji and Austin Rivers (right thumb) were listed by the Nuggets as questionable for the Jazz game, while Morris and Green were listed as out. It’s unclear when Malone might return to the bench.

• The Jazz have won nine straight road games but will be without the services of Joe Ingles after the forward entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols, making him the first Jazz player to do so this season. The Jazz had previously been the only team in the NBA without a player in health and safety protocols this season. Ingles, 34, is averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 assists per-game this season.

• Utah also listed centers Rudy Gobert (shoulder), Hassan Whiteside (concussion) and Udoka Azubuike (ankle) and forwards Bojan Bogdanovic (sprained finger) and Royce O’Neale (knee) as questionable. Star guard Donovan Mitchell (back) and sixth man Jordan Clarkson (back) are probable. Monday’s 115-104 road win over the Pelicans was a slog at the start before Mitchell and Bogdanovic hit key 3-pointers late in the game.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Denver Nuggets
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