Game 76 preview: Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
by Nate Timmons on Apr 2, 2009 10:01 AM MDT
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Courtesy of: www.nba.com
Nuggets dawn new look, hope to down Jazz
The Nuggets will be wearing new green jerseys pictured above tonight as part of the NBA's "Go Green" program. Denver will also be in green April 4th against the Clippers.
I'm pretty excited for the uniform change of pace for the night, but not nearly as excited as I am to be in attendance this evening as the Nuggets face the Jazz! Going to these type of games is what being a fan is all about. I snagged 4 club level tickets for the game tonight and my buddy will be taking his son along with us. I can still remember some of the big games I went to as a wee-lad. I was there February 4, 1996 when Denver defeated the 72-10 Chicago Bulls (just their 4th loss of the season). Nothing compares to a sold out NBA arena and a crowd losing its collective minds.
Records:
Denver 49-26 (29-8 at home)
Utah 46-28 (14-22 on the road)
Season Series: Utah leads 2-1
Opposition's blog: SLC Dunk and True Blue Jazz
This is another game where we can say POSSIBLE PLAYOFF PREVIEW. If the playoffs started today these teams would be facing off in Round 1 as the Jazz sit in the 7th seed and Denver has overtaken the Spurs for the 2nd Seed.
The Jazz are truly a different team at home, where they are 32-6 than they are on the road (14-22). And the bad part for the Jazz is that 5 of their remaining 8 games are on the road versus Western Conference playoff teams:
- April 2nd @ Denver
- April 5th @ New Orleans
- April 8th @ Dallas
- April 10th @ San Antonio
- April 14th @ L.A. Lakers (last game of their season)
The schedule gods did the Jazz no favors, though they do have 3 home games versus sub .500 teams (Minnesota, Golden State, and the L.A. Clippers) Utah is going to have to play almost perfectly over their final eight to avoid the 8th seed. So, that tells you how important this game is to the Jazz.
Utah is 2 1/2 games behind the Nuggets in the Northwest, but more importantly they are only 1 1/2 games ahead of the 8th Seeded Dallas Mavericks. You don't want to end up the 8th seed and be forced into a series with the Lakers. I remember all of too clearly the sweep Denver received last season from Kobe and Co.
Both teams need this game and though the Jazz, record wise, are not as good on the road DO NOT expect them to play poorly tonight.
Utah is coming off an embarrassing blowout loss at the hands of the Blazers on Tuesday night in Portland (125-104). I expect them to come out tonight refocused and ready to play. Both Carlos Boozer and coach Jerry Sloan were ejected Tuesday night as the Jazz lost their cool.
Nuggets fans can only hope Denver gives Utah the same frustration tonight at the Pepsi Center.
This game is also key for the Nuggets because with a win they not only hold on to the 2nd Seed, but they will also tie up the season series with the Jazz and Denver holds the tiebreaker with Utah because of our better division record (9-3 for Denver ... 10-4 for Utah.)
The Nuggets also should have a little bit of payback on their minds tonight after blowing a 19 point lead to the Jazz in Utah in their last meeting on March 6th. The Nuggets have no excuses for losing that game and should seek some revenge tonight.
The Jazz are 3-2 in their last 5 games and 5-5 in their last 10 contests. Denver is the hottest team in the West with a 9-1 in their last 10 games.
These are the games when being there live is so much better than watching at home on TNT. Tipoff tonight is late at 8:30 p.m. MTN and 10:30 p.m. out East. I'm thinking my Kentucky buddy will probably not be able to stay awake no matter the excitement level tonight.
I'm hoping that I can look back on this one and be glad I was at The Can. And more importantly I hope this is a game my buddy's son can say, "I was there" because it's never too early for a big game!
Pregame Notes:
- The Nuggets can earn their 50th win of the season tonight ... whodathunkit?
- In their last meeting on March 6th the Nuggets didn't score over 24 points in any quarter
- Kenyon Martin grabbed only 1 rebound versus the New York Knicks in 34 minutes ... tying his season low when he grabbed only 1 rebound on January 20th against the Kings in 31 minutes, Martin averages 6.1 boards per game on the season.
- J.R. Smith has averaged 22 point per game against the Jazz this season
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
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What time is it?
It’s game time bitches! Lets hope that this game is decided on the floor and not by the stripes. There have been many comments lately about how games have been called, but if anybody saw the game last night between Phoenix and Houston they pretty much let them play. Even Shaq who looked frustrated at times during the game had this to say after “It’s just two big trees leaning on each other and going at it….That’s how the game should be officiated. You should let two big guys rumble and scratch and do all that stuff.” Lets hope they let the Nuggets and Jazz settle this one with talent.
It’s time for the Nuggets to put away this second seed and perhaps get a little rest before the playoffs start. Like Nate mentions, we all remember the sweep by Kobe and company last year and lets not forget the previous one and done seasons. Go Nuggets!
I'm with you.
I think the refs played a big role in the last game between these two teams, as the Nuggets were up pretty big (double digits) in the middle of the third and there was an astronomical foul descrepancy looking through three quarters. It evened out by the end of the game, but it’s hard to get back the momemtum after the Jazz have grabbed it at their house. That is a hard place to play. Yet another reason to win this and get home court advantage!
by blooming rock on Apr 2, 2009 5:43 PM MDT up reply actions
The Diesel
I like the Shaq quote you provided.
I wanted to watch the end of that game, but I was forced to watch the ending of a terrible movie … Shooter with Mark Wahlberg … just a terrible flick. If you wet a brown paper lunch sack I don’t think Marky-Mark could act his way out of it.
Anyway … the Nuggs can’t afford to rest anyone in this stretch even with a win tonight the Nuggs have really no breathing room. But I agree that the “stripes” should LET THEM PLAY!
Go Jazz!
Tonight has potential to be a classic! Let’s hope J-Slo brings his Valum and Boozer his brass knuckles.
The Jazz traditionally play pretty well in Denver. I really hope this is a close game either way.
I am praying for a 2/7 Nuggie/Jazz First Round Series. That would be Epic.
Go Jazz!
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
Nothing against the Jazz.
But if the Nuggets play to their potential, and don’t let their foot off the gas peddle when they get a ~10 point lead (like they usually do), this game should be a win for the Nuggets. I just can’t buy into a team that is 14-22 on the road overall and 0-13 on the road against the top 8 teams in the West and top three in the East.
That being said, the Nuggets have been known to lay pretty big eggs on nationally televised games (particularly TNT). Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that?
by blooming rock on Apr 2, 2009 5:48 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm really excited about tonights game
The Nuggets are playing great ball and I hate the Jazz. Enough said.
I've got bad news for you guys...
The Nugs are undefeated in the green unis.
But seriously I hope for a good game tonight.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to hang around tonight because I have to go drink off my "Jay Cutler got traded’ depression.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
ooops...I'm a moron. I thought I was at SLC Dunk.
Anyway…GO NUGS!!!
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
2-1sts, 1-3rd, and Orton isn't all that bad
For a QB that is petulant and didn’t want to be here anymore (if ever).
The Broncos O is more than just him: great o-line and great receiving corps.
The D is improved already, IMO, and we haven’t used any of our 11 draft picks yet.
I think Jay is a good QB, but I think his #s will go down in Chicago and Orton’s #s will go up here (if he’s even the QB here).
by blooming rock on Apr 2, 2009 8:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Letting them back in the game again.
From 93-82 to 95-89 in one minute. Come on guys.
whew . . . that was a little too close for comfort.
this team is good at pulling out wins, but not too good at finishing teams off when they’re up by 10-15 points late in games.
by blooming rock on Apr 2, 2009 11:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Have to thank Birdman for not letting it get too out of hand. Even if only half of his eight blocked shots went in we’d be looking at a 114-112 finish. Changes the entire game.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com
Was there actually sort of a game thread thread here tonight?
honestly…that’s what I want more than anything. A good Nugs open game thread that I can participate in. The Blazers get like 500 comment s a game. Is the Nugs support just that weak….or does nobody know where to go?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
Game threads
I’ll start tossing some up for ya PosterNutbag … I was at the game last night and am often not around the web during games, but I’ll give it a go!
I’d be a fan of game threads as well, although I normally follow via the scoreboard on ESPN, online radio or during the rare occasion that they’re on national TV.
Obviously that availability will change with the playoffs so I’d be down for some game thread action.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com
Those green jerseys were awesome and perfect for a team nicknamed "Nugs" - heh
I was at the game for the "Guys Night Out" deal – really, any Denver natives should take advantage of this; $25 gets you a beer and a t-shirt and a decent upper level seat.
In case anyone was wondering, the chant was "UTAH SUCKS!!!" about 3 or 4 times. Nene was getting mauled in the post and had some really shitty ticky tack fouls called on him. JR was UNREAL tonight. I could not believe how on fire he was from beyond the arc.
I am definitely a fan of the green jerseys, but my throat is not. I am hoarse as hell and going to bed.
GO NUGGETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wheeze
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