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Postgame notes following the Jazz's 110-88 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday evening at the Pepsi Center.
Very quiet Jazz locker room after the loss. Al Jefferson sat slumped down in a chair for a couple minutes after speaking with the media. Deron Williams appeared to be the last player to get dressed, and was still in a towel after everyone else had suited up. Williams then spent several minutes quietly speaking with ex-Utah player and current team broadcaster Matt Harpring.
Denver's Arron Afflalo was 8 of 11 for 22 points. The Nuggets' Shelden Williams had 16 rebounds. Neither are star players, but both burned the Jazz. Afflalo scored 20 points only two times last season.
Largest season-opening win for Denver since 1994-95.
Utah had more turnovers (22) than assists (21).
Lost in the Jazz's opening-game malaise was the fact that Utah shot just 23.1 percent (3 of 13) behind the 3-point line. Perimeter shooting is a major question mark for the Jazz following the departures of Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews, and the transition did not begin well for Utah. Take away Williams two consecutive 3s midway through the third quarter, and the Jazz only hit one of their long-range attempts. Then factor in that Utah is running a small starting lineup - power forward Millsap is 6-foot-8 while Jefferson is a small 6-foot-10 at the center position - and the Jazz have work to do.
Almost zero offensive production from C.J. Miles and Andrei Kirilenko, both of whom picked up two quick fouls and finished with four.
The Jazz were outrebounded (46-44), while being outscored in the 42-36 paint 17-13 in the fast break. In addition, Utah was outscored by Denver during every quarter.
Utah was 7-19 when scoring less than 100 points last season.
The Nuggets have won five consecutive regular-season games versus the Jazz in Denver.
Nuggets coach George Karl: "I think we did some things defensively that frustrated some of their new players. When they tried to take over the game it just seems like we held them off offensively."
Denver forward Carmelo Anthony: "Anytime we can hold a team like Utah to 36 percent on the field for the game you got to commend our defense. ... We jumped on them early."
Utah coach Jerry Sloan said his team's lack of focus and energy during recent practices likely carried over into the regular season.
Jefferson pregame to Gordon Hayward, Jeremy Evans: "What's up, young fellas? Y'all ready?"
Jefferson was very talkative and appeared confident during shootaround and warmups, while Williams put in extra work during warmups.
Jefferson, Miles, Williams and Ronnie Price worked with assistant coach Ty Corbin during pregame drills.
Jefferson discussed low-post moves with Hayward and Evans, focusing on a spin move finished off by an underhand layup.
Hayward has not seen Wayne's World, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure or Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This resulted in some fun teasing from a couple Utah coaches.
Shared an airport shuttle ride with two very disappointed Jazz fans who had flown in for the game. They discussed the woes of Wednesday's outing, then said that all their travel expenses had become worse following the outcome. Acknowledged that they were excited for tonight's home opener, though.
- Brian T. Smith
Twitter: tribjazz