The Denver Nuggets are 0-3 against the Utah Jazz, but they won’t get a better chance to win on Wednesday.
Utah’s injury list is long, so putting an end to its five-game losing streak could be difficult.
NBA betting odds have the Jazz as slight favorites in an intriguing fixture.
- Game: Denver Nuggets (28-22) at Utah Jazz (30-21)
- Location: Vivint Arena
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
Visitors Trying to Avoid Sweep
Getting swept 4-0 by the Utah Jazz wouldn’t look good on the record of the Denver Nuggets, so there’s plenty at stake.
All but one of the previous meetings was decided by less than 10 points, so they haven’t been close games. The Nuggets were easily handled at home 125-102 in their last meeting, so they need to turn that result around.
Rudy Gobert was dominant for the Jazz with 18 points and 19 rebounds while Donovan Mitchell scored 31. Without Mitchell in the lineup, the Nuggets have a great chance to bounce back.
The Nuggets come off a 130-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. However, Denver looked excellent prior to that in beating Milwaukee, New Orleans, Brooklyn and Detroit on the road.
Betting online markets have taken this into account, but we’re surprised the Nuggets aren’t favored to win. The +2½ spread is generous for a team that is moderately healthy, especially compared to their opposition.
Covering spreads isn’t something the Nuggets do well. They are 20-29-1 against the spread and they’re 4-13 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Utah, so that needs to be turned around for bettors to cash.
Jazz Running on Fumes
The Utah Jazz have been dealt a harsh blow in the injury department, including Mitchell, Gobert, and Joe Ingles, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
“Tears in his eyes,” teammate Mike Conley said. Just knowing how much this means for him, this game means to them and what we mean to him, you know, so it‘s tough. That took a lot out of guys seeing him with tears in his eyes.”
They haven’t been playing easy teams of late, but losing five consecutive games isn’t ideal form. The most recent loss came on the road against the Timberwolves, who handled the Jazz 126-106.
The Jazz have played only one of their last five games at home, where they are 15-10. However, despite having one of the best offenses in the NBA, they are only 21-28-2 ATS.
It’s not a good enough record, but we’re being harsh on a team with most of their starters off the floor. It’s unsure when Mitchell and Gobert will return, but it shouldn’t be against the Nuggets.
The sportsbook is keeping the faith with the Jazz, most likely due to their recent success over Denver.
Nuggets to End Drought
It’s only a matter of time before Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets earn a win over the Utah Jazz.
We have a feeling it won’t be the last time they meet, but it’s the last chance they’ll get until a possible playoff matchup.
Due to injuries, we can’t lay our hard-earned money on the Jazz. They are riddled with missing players and the Nuggets are healthy enough to win the game outright.
We’re happy with the +2½ and the Nuggets are one of our NBA best bets for Wednesday.
