The Nuggets ended one streak last night in San Antonio’s 11 game winning streak and tonight they have the chance to end Utah’s 17 game home winning streak. Utah has not lost at the toxic waste center since 2007 when Boston rolled into town and dropped them 104-98.
The Nuggets have split their two home games with the Jazz so they must win at least one of the two remaining games in Utah to keep from losing the tiebreaker and they must win both to win the head to head tiebreaker.
Utah played a very tough game in Phoenix last night so both teams are playing for the second night in a row.
The Nuggets will have to play their inside out defense (as documented here in the Pickaxe and Roll Film Room) to keep Boozer out of the lane and Deron Williams on the perimeter. It will also be important to stay home on Kyle Korver as all he can do is hit threes, which he obviously does very well.
Tonight is a gut check game as the Nuggets need it worse than the Jazz do. Utah has been great at home, but if the Nuggets play hard on defense as they last night, run the floor and share the ball they can take care of business.
For insight, some of it childish (yes I mean you My Utah Jazz guys) check out this trio of quality Jazz blogs: