The Denver Nuggets (52-28) have already clinched the conference as they take on the Utah Jazz (36-44) at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday (April 8).
The Nuggets are on a two-game losing streak and 5-5 in their last 10 games. Their latest defeat came against the Phoenix Suns (119-115) where the Nuggets played without their star players, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray. It was Bruce Brown Jr. who led the scoring charts for this team and finished with 31 points, followed by Reggie Jackson with 20 points. However, it wasn’t enough as Kevin Durant ended up scoring 29 points and Chris Paul added another 25 to guide the Suns to a 4-point win. The Nuggets will now face the Jazz, who are 12th in the West, and are out of the play-in race.
They are currently on a four-game losing streak which has caused them to lose all the chances for the playoffs. They suffered a defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder (118-98) in their last outing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again the leading scorer for the Thunder with 22 but there were six other players who scored in double digits and helped the team win. The Jazz are now 2-8 in their last 10 games.
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: Match Details
Fixture: Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz
Date & Time: Saturday, April 8, 03:30 p.m ET
Venue: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: Injury Report
The two are surrounded by a number of injuries at the moment. Starting with the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon is questionable with a shoulder injury while Reggie Jackson is probable with a back injury. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has illness and is questionable for tonight’s game whereas Jamal Murray is questionable with a thumb injury. Nikola Jokic has calf problem and is questionable as well whereas Michael Porter Jr. is questionable due to heel injury. Bruce Brown is probable with a knee injury.
As for the Jazz, Kelly Olynyk is out as he is given rest while Rudy Gay is out with a back injury. A finger injury keeps Jordan Clarkson out of tonight’s game and Lauri Markkenen has been ruled out due to a hand injury. Collin Sexton is out with a hamstring injury while Talen Horton-Tucker has an ankle issue and is also out. Walker Kessler is still unavailable because of concussion.
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: Injury List
| Player | Team | Status | Injury |
| Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets | Questionable | Shoulder |
| Reggie Jackson | Denver Nuggets | Probable | Back |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Denver Nuggets | Questionable | Illness |
| Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | Questionable | Thumb |
| Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | Questionable | Calf |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Denver Nuggets | Questionable | Heel |
| Bruce Brown | Denver Nuggets | Probable | Knee |
| Kelly Olynyk | Utah Jazz | Out | Rest |
| Rudy Gay | Utah Jazz | Out | Back |
| Jordan Clarkson | Utah Jazz | Out | Finger |
| Lauri Markkenen | Utah Jazz | Out | Hand |
| Talen Horton-Tucker | Utah Jazz | Out | Ankle |
| Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz | Out | Concussion |
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
| Denver Nuggets | -250 | -6 (-115) | O 225.5 (-110) |
| Utah Jazz | +210 | +6 (-105) | U 225.5 (-110) |
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: Starting 5s
Nuggets: F Christian Braun, F Peyton Watson, C DeAndre Jordan, G Bruce Brown Jr., G Reggie Jackson
Jazz: F Simone Fontecchio, F Luka Samanic, C Udoka Azubuike, G Kris Dunn, G Ochai Agbaji
Denver vs Utah: Betting Prediction
The Nuggets have a 2-1 lead over the Jazz so far this season. They will look to win the series 3-1 tonight as the Jazz are struggling for form. Despite having a decent home record of 22-18, the Jazz have failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Nuggets are 19-21 away from home but are in good position to win tonight as the Jazz have key players injured at the moment. The Nuggets are 11th in the league in offense, averaging 115.9 ppg, whereas the Jazz are 8th, averaging 117.1 ppg. Defensively, the Nuggets have a big advantage. They are 10th overall, conceding just 112.6 ppg, while the Jazz are 24th, conceding 117.9 ppg.
Expect the two teams to go all out and score a lot of points tonight.
