Utah Jazz Snap Denver Nuggets Five-Game Win Streak, 118-103
By Andrew Dill
Jan 13, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Jeremy Evans (40) and small forward Richard Jefferson (24) box out Denver Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets five-game win streak was snapped Monday night to the Utah Jazz by the final score of 118-103. The Nuggets took them too lightly, coming out with no energy as the Jazz took advantage of that. Former Colorado Buffaloes star Alec Burks would have a career night against the Denver Nuggets. The guard would score a career-high 34 points on 13-of-19 shooting, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the line pushing the Jazz to victory.
Ty Lawson would record another double-double as the guard is pushing for an all-star vote with Thunder guard Russell Westbrook out. He would shoot 6-of-17 from the field with 23 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler returned after missing the past couple of games with a groin strain and was a little rusty. He would come off of the bench shooting 4-of-10 from the field while knocking down two three’s for 12 points on the night. Nate Robinson and Timofey Mozgov didn’t come to play at all Monday night. Robinson shot a dismal 1-for-7 from the field with 3 points and 2 turnovers, while Mozzy didn’t score at all and couldn’t get back on defense.
Evan Fournier continues to be a reliable contributor off of the bench for rookie head coach Brian Shaw. Fournier put up 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including three three-pointers. J.J. Hickson was a beast on the glass and in the scoring column for the Nuggets despite the loss. Hickson made 8-of-9 shots, scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds; 3 of which were offensive. The Utah Jazz were too much on the glass as power forward/center Derrick Favors played excellent. Favors shot 7-of-12 from the field while recording a double-double; 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Four of the five Utah Jazz starters scored in double-figures, including Derrick Favors. Alec Burks finished with 34 while rookie point guard Trey Burke finished with 18 points and 8 assists. Small forward Richard Jefferson capped the night with 16 points, including 3-of-6 from downtown. The Jazz shot a whopping 55.7% percent from the field while the Nuggets shot 44.6% percent. The three-point line was an advantage for the Jazz tonight as they shot 8-of-18, 44.4% percent from deep while Denver struggled, shooting just 7-of-25, 28.0% percent.
The Denver Nuggets (19-18) will be back in action on Wednesday night as they take on the Golden State Warriors on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET, 8:30 PM MT while the game will be televised on ESPN.