Utah at Denver
Time: 9 PM ET, Apr 12, 2014
Spread: DEN -9.5
Total: 212
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
Denver is making a late season surge at nothing, but a surge nonetheless. The Nuggets are seeking its third straight victory as it hosts the cellar dwelling Utah Jazz Saturday night in a game NBA oddsmakers are giving the edge to Denver. The NBA odds at Bovada listed Denver as 9.5 point favorites.
Nuggets coach Brian Shaw does believe in the value of these games, though the Nuggets are headed to the lottery regardless of outcome. Shaw said “This is all about momentum for us going into next season…These guys can play with anybody if they play the right way.”
It’s also a good time to see what works for Shaw and what doesn’t. The Nuggets have been able to thrive with a run and gun style despite lacking Danilo Gallinari, Ty Lawson, Wilson Chandler, Nate Robinson and JaVale McGee. Aaron Brooks has seemingly resurrected his career, and Timofey Mozgov has been an absolute beast. Mozgov had 23 points and 29 rebounds in the win over Golden State. Mozgov said “We’re not in the playoffs, but we’re not giving up, so we want to fight.”
The Jazz share similar sentiments, and though it’s been a tough season at 24-55, the Jazz have won more games than a number of rebuilding teams in a tougher conference. The Jazz have as many wins as Boston and more than Orlando, and Utah is 12-18 against the Eastern Conference this season. The team will have major decisions to make over the summer, which will likely hinge upon what Utah does with its 2014 first round pick.
Gordon Hayward is having a breakout season, but he plays small forward and two of the top three talents in the 2014 class are small forwards (Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins). The Jazz have been pleased with the development of a number of its prospects, and Trey Burke is looking as though he will have a good NBA career.
UTA Trends: 0-3-2 ATS in last 5 games vs teams with losing SU records; 0-5-2 ATS in last 7 overall; 0-4-2 ATS in last 6 following SU loss.
DEN Trends: 5-0 ATS in last 5 following ATS win; 6-0 ATS in last 6 when opponent allows 100 points or more in previous game; 4-0 ATS in last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in previous game.
Head-to-head: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 meetings in Denver; Jazz 2-5 ATS in last 7 meetings; Jazz 4-9-1 ATS in last 14 meetings in Denver.
