The Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz 111-95 on Tuesday night, setting up an epic heavyweight matchup tomorrow night against the Minnesota Timberwolves for first place in the Western Conference.

Denver started this game off very strongly, going up 23-5 in the early stages behind excellent two-way engagement from the starters. The bench came in and struggled a bit in the second quarter, and then the starters got a bit bored and apathetic during the middle of the game, just waiting for the Jazz to go away. Talen Horton-Tucker kept the Jazz close throughout, and it wasn’t until the starters returned in the fourth quarter did the Nuggets truly separate again from the Jazz, who played better, perhaps, than the Nuggets expected they would.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way for Denver with 28 points apiece. Jokic, though not his normally precise self with some turnovers and miscues, still put together a great performance overall. He finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals on 12-of-20 from the field and 2-of-2 from three. Jokic’s jumper was dialed in tonight, and he was a big part of some of Denver’s best runs in the first quarter and fourth quarter. The defense was subpar going against the likes of Omer Yurtseven and Luka Samanic, but neither of those guys could make Jokic pay, and the Nuggets held the Jazz to 95 points in what was a must-win game.

Murray, in his second game back from another lengthy absence, took awhile to get his outside jumper going but did absolutely everything else. On top of the 28 points, Murray had an impressive five dunks in the first half on transition runouts and cuts to the basket. He was athletic out there, but his defense may have been even better. Murray finished with four steals and three blocks in just 27 minutes, adding to four assists and just one turnover. Murray’s defense, when locked in, is surprisingly great. He and Jokic more than hold their weight on that end.

 Then, when Murray’s jumper started falling in the fourth quarter, it was absolutely over for the Jazz. Murray scored 10 points in a row, including three straight three-pointers, to effectively end the game in the middle of the fourth quarter.

No matter what happens with the rest of the squad, when Jokic and Murray play this way, it’s nearly impossible to beat the Nuggets. When Murray scores 25+ points this season, the Nuggets have a 16-1 record. Denver’s formula often factors in Jokic being great. When Murray is great on top of that, it’s difficult for opposing teams to match up.

Elsewhere, Christian Braun hit three first half three-pointers and looked very comfortable taking jumpers early on. He replaced Aaron Gordon in the starting lineup (resting up for tomorrow) and scored 11 points, dished out four assists, and grabbed two steals. Peyton Watson off the bench had a strong game, scoring just five points but grabbing nine rebounds, dishing four assists of his own, and blocking two shots.

 Michael Porter Jr. and Reggie Jackson were a bit off, Porter more so than Jackson. Porter’s decision making on offense was questionable, and he attempted just three shots in the paint (one on the line) during the entire game despite playing power forward. Perhaps he was saving his body a bit on the back-to-back, and his defense was solid on the other end. Jackson shot 4-of-13 from the field but had five assists and was much more accurate in the second half. Jackson is Denver’s late shot clock option on the second unit and was forced to take some bad shots, but he still has to help Denver generate better shots earlier in possessions, as well as play better defense. He did have a steal and a block.

Overall, this game was a formality. The Jazz made Denver earn it, and they ultimately did.

The real show begins on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets host the T’Wolves on the back-to-back (Minnesota also played tonight) in what should be a game for the top seed in the Western Conference. If the Nuggets win, they have the inside track for the top spot in the West. If the Timberwolves win, the Nuggets will almost certainly drop to third place behind both the T’Wolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.

It’s a big game. Both teams know it, and it’s on national television. Should be a fun one, as long as the Nuggets bring better effort than last time.

Final Rotations