The Denver Nuggets haven’t been done many favors this year in terms of back-to-back games. In January alone the Nuggets have played three back-to-backs, all requiring travel. They finally were on the positive end of that scheduling when Utah came to Denver after losing a tight contest with the Thunder at home Monday, then traveled to the Mile High City on Tuesday. Denver took advantage and cruised to a 103-93 victory.
The Nuggets took the lead with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter on a Jameer Nelson free throw and never looked back. Nelson scored 17 to go with seven assists in a starting role; Emmanuel Mudiay missed his second straight game with back soreness. Nikola Jokic scored a game-high 23 points to go with 11 rebounds, all on the defensive end, and six assists. Darrell Arthur scored 16 points off the bench, including 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range for Denver.
Key to the victory was holding Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert in check. The talented duo scored just 10 combined points and shot only 6-for-18 from the floor combined. Entering Monday’s game against Oklahoma City, Utah had won six straight games beginning with a victory over Cleveland on Jan. 11.
The Nuggets have now won four of their last six and with the win evened their home record to 11-11 on the season. They can climb above .500 at home on Thursday against Phoenix.
