Jazz vs. Nuggets Prediction, Pick and Preview, January 5 (1/5): NBA

Credit: photo by Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

Preview

The Utah Jazz will travel and take on the Denver Nuggets this evening.

Utah really hit their stride last month, winning won 12 of 14 games in December. 

Denver opened the year with win over Houston but didn't escape Texas unblemished, as they fell to Dallas in their last time out.

Utah Jazz

Donovan Mitchell is having another All-Star season, and the fifth-year guard is on pace to lead the Jazz in scoring again as he's up to 24.8 ppg.

Rudy Gobert's presence is unmatched league-wide. The Stifle Tower commands attention defensive, and doesn't take away from the offense at all. Gobert has been a menace on the boards, and he leads the league with 14.7 rpg.

Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson has endured a few shooting woes, but the walking microwave is coming off of a 22-point game.

Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic continue to thrive in the Utah system, and represent two of the best role players and snipers in the league. Bogdanovic recorded his second double-double of the season last night.

Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic continues to revolutionize the center position. The reigning MVP recorded back-to-back 20/20 games before posting 22 & 18 in the win in the Bay. Big Jok is averaging 25.8 ppg, 14.1 rpg, and 7.1 apg.

Will Barton and Aaron Gordon should continue to be hunted prop wise, as they continue to receive a lot of volume. Barton is scoring 15.3, while AG is adding 14.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg.

Monte Morris has been solid in Jamal Murray's point guard slot, scoring 12.6 ppg on 47.9% shooting, but he and guards Austin Rivers and Bones Hyland could miss this one.

Prediction

Jokic normaly plays Gobert really well, but the Nuggets are really shorthanded coming into this one. Along with missing coach Mike Malone, the Nuggets have six players out on top of still missing All-Star guard Jamal Murray. We like Utah's momentum here.

Take Utah's spread in the Rockies this evening.

PICK: Utah Jazz -3.5

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