NBA Preview – Game 17: Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz

Jan 13, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov (25) defends against Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

After having their five-game winning streak snapped by the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday, Denver responded by defeating Phoenix at the Pepsi Center Friday night, 112-97. Denver moved to an even .500 on the season at 8-8 as they prepare to take on a division rival in the Utah Jazz.

What: NBA Preview – Game 17: Denver Nuggets (8-8) vs. Utah Jazz (5-12)
When: Monday, December 1st
Where: EnergySolutions Arena
Time: 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

Denver came to play in their most recent outing, defeating the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center, 112-97. Arron Afflalo shot the ball extremely well, scoring a game-high 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting, knocking down 11-of-13 shots from the charity stripe. Not to mention, seven Nuggets players scored in double-figures en route to their eighth win of the season.

You can’t say enough about the play of Ty Lawson of late. Lawson recorded his fourth-straight double-double this past Friday night, scoring 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 10 assists and 1 steal. Over the past ten games, Lawson is averaging 17.6 points, 11.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

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Denver will be taking on a Utah Jazz team that possesses some talented players yet their record doesn’t reflect. Gordon Hayward is one of those guys and he is a Nuggets’ killer. Over the past 10 games, Hayward is averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals. Last season against Denver, Hayward averaged 25.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in three games played.

As for injuries go, JaVale McGee (tibia), Darrell Arthur (knee), and J.J. Hickson (knee) will be a go in tonight’s divisional game. McGee sat out the past three games after feeling discomfort in that same leg that sat him out most of the season last year.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Denver Nuggets (8-8):

PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Timofey Mozgov

Utah Jazz (5-12):

PG: Trey Burke
SG: Alec Burks
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Derrick Favors
C: Enes Kanter

Tip-off between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz is scheduled for 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST.