Utah Jazz vs
Denver NuggetsPredictions & Preview

Denver Nuggets Favored to Sweep Utah Jazz in Northwest Division Showdown at Ball Arena

The Utah Jazz will face off against the Denver Nuggets in a Northwest Division showdown at Ball Arena on Friday, March 28, marking their fourth and final encounter of the 2024-25 NBA season. The Nuggets aim to sweep the Jazz for the first time since the 2019-20 season, with their most recent meeting resulting in a 132-121 victory for Denver as a 7.5-point road favorite. Denver opens as the -17.5 betting favorite, with the line remaining steady. This matchup is analyzed in detail in our Jazz vs. Nuggets prediction, serving as one of our NBA picks for Friday night.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Jazz +950 | Nuggets -1900
• Spread: Jazz +17.5 (-110) | Nuggets -17.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 238.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Denver will win straight-up is 95%.

Utah vs Denver Stats

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz, with a power ranking of 29, faced the Houston Rockets in hopes of ending a three-game losing streak. Utah has struggled recently, winning only one of their last 14 games. In their previous game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Jazz suffered a humiliating 140-103 defeat, scoring just 38 points in the second half and blowing a 14-point lead. Key players Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson were sidelined for Thursday's game against the Rockets, with Collins expected to miss the next game as well. Offensively, the Jazz rank 21st in the league, scoring an average of 111.86 points per game, while defensively they rank 29th, allowing an average of 120.05 points per game. Despite ranking third in rebounds per game, the Jazz struggle with defensive efficiency, allowing high percentages in field goals and three-pointers. Their offensive assists and turnovers both rank in the middle of the league.

Denver Nuggets Analysis

The Denver Nuggets have been experiencing inconsistency in their recent games, winning eight out of their last 15 matchups. Currently third in the Western Conference, the Nuggets have struggled to put together back-to-back wins since March 7. Despite injuries to key players like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, the team managed to secure a 127-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks with Jokic returning and delivering a triple-double performance. Looking ahead to their upcoming game against the Jazz, Jokic is listed as probable while Julian Strawther is out with a knee injury. The Nuggets rank highly in offense, leading the NBA in field goal percentage and offensive assists, but they struggle defensively, allowing high percentages in field goals and three-pointers. The team's overall record is 46-28 with a power ranking of 20.

Utah Jazz Struggle as Denver Nuggets Dominate in Recent Matchups

The Utah Jazz are currently in a position where they are competing for the worst record in the NBA, with hopes of securing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. In their recent matchups with the Denver Nuggets, Utah has struggled, losing all five of their last five meetings both straight up and against the spread. With the return of Nikola Jokic to the Nuggets lineup, their offensive capabilities have significantly improved, making them a formidable opponent. Utah's defense has been underperforming this season, resulting in a negative net rating of minus-13.1 in their last 10 games, excluding their most recent matchup against Houston. Overall, the Nuggets are expected to dominate the Jazz, even without Jokic on the court.

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