The Denver Nuggets just suffered another heartbreaking loss on Sunday, as they fell 111-108 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, it’s a new day, as they welcome in a stubborn Utah Jazz team into the Pepsi Center, attempting to keep pace among those fighting for the bottom spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Tuesday marks the beginning of a two-game home stand which will also see them face the Phoenix Suns(15-29), winners of two of their last three. Neither game looks like a simple task on paper, but with the way that the Nuggets have been playing at home as of late, these could be “measuring stick” types of games. Up first: the Utah Jazz.
So what do the Nuggets need to do to secure another home win?

Get Point Guards Going

I’m unsure if you’ve heard, but the Utah Jazz are pretty good this year. They’ve went an impressive 7-3 in their last 10 games, and have a 101.3 defensive rating, trailing only the Golden State Warriors. While it may be a tall task to ask of too much out of Emmanuel Mudiay (if he manages to suit up), Jameer Nelson or Jamal Murray, the Jazz have been susceptible to big games from point guards as of late.

The last three teams to beat them were the Raptors, in which Kyle Lowry went for 36 points and five assists, the Grizzlies, in which Mike Conley went for 19 points and nine assists and most recently the Thunder, in which Russell Westbrook recorded another triple double of 38 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds.

While I don’t expect any of the Nuggets guards to put up numbers like those, it is worth noting that this is an area to attack, as it has had recent success against the Jazz. Now, finishing around Gobert is a different story.

Contain Rudy Gobert

While Russell Westbrook laughed this off in a pre-game interview on Monday, this is something that actually needs to happen if the Nuggets want to find any success against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Over the last three games, Rudy Gobert is averaging 21 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks a game. He even became the first player since Dwight Howard in January 2016 to record 25 points and 25 rebounds in a single game; even more terrifying, he’s shooting 70% in those games. It will be up to the big men to really make it difficult for Gobert, not only on the defensive end where he excels, but to make it difficult for him on the offensive end as well.

How To Watch:

The game tips off at 7:00pm MT on Altitude Sports and Entertainment. and can also be found on NBA League Pass.