This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Wednesday night presents a new challenge for the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz are fresh off Monday's win over the Chicago Bulls, an overtime thriller that counts as one of Utah's best victories of the season.
That said, the Jazz are owners of their first three-game win streak of the year. They are 22-25 and playing a Denver Nuggets team at Vivint Smart Home Arena most expect them to beat.
Only, NBA insiders know tonight's game probably won't be as easy as most think. The Nuggets have played very well of late and hold their own home victory over an Eastern Conference contender in the last few days, having recently defeated the Toronto Raptors.
Why is Denver playing well? They are scoring well. Will Barton is playing extremely well off the bench, and, like the Jazz, the Nuggets have a bunch of young pieces who are starting to come into their own.
Those are just a few reasons Utah looks to have a big challenge on its hands tonight.
"They're a good team, for sure; they have a lot of talent," Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said. "They just beat Toronto, and they have one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. They've been starting out quarters well, and when they do that, they usually win the game. So we have to play with a lot of energy and the same intensity. We have to play with rhythm and have a feel for the game."
The Jazz know they need to keep Danillo Gallinari off the free-throw line and keep him somewhat corralled on the perimeter. They know they have to keep Barton out of transition, and make him score in halfcourt sets. They know they have to keep a hand up on Denver's many shooters, the bulk of them who can get hot from the 3-point line almost instantly.
The Nuggets score, and they score a lot. The Jazz know that, which puts an emphasis on them playing well tonight defensively.
— Tony Jones