Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
Friday, 3/23/12, 10:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Utah -2.5
Current Betting Line: Utah -1.5
Opening Total: 208
Current Total: 207
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Denver is coming off a thrilling 116-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons as 8.5-point home favorites that capped a nine-game homestand with a 5-4 record. The Nuggets alternated wins and losses over that span, but the entire roster knows how important tonight’s game is in regards to the Western Conference standings. “It’s going to be a big game,” commented Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson. “We need to get this win. We’re going to be ready for it.” He is averaging 15.4 points and is coming off a 25-point performance against the Pistons. Denver is 15-5 ATS on the road and the “over” is 13-7 in those contests.
The Nuggets are 11-9 on the road this season, including a 6-9 mark against teams out West in that situation. Denver has won seven of the last 12 meetings when matching up with Utah over the past three seasons, but has split the first two games in the 2011-12 series that were played inside the Pepsi Center. One player that will not be in the lineup on Friday night is starting forward Danilo Gallinari, who fractured his left thumb on Monday. He missed 13 games earlier this year with a sprained ankle.
Utah is one of the hottest teams in the NBA and captured its fifth-straight win with a 103-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings as two-point road underdogs on Thursday. “We are in the playoff hunt,” stated Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin. “We’re fighting and doing whatever it takes to win.” The Jazz are 18-6 at home this season, including a solid 11-5 record versus Western Conference opponents. Utah is 4-1 ATS as a home favorite of three points or less and the “under” is 3-2 in that situation.
The Jazz will be looking to win seven in a row inside EnergySolutions Arena for the first time since 2010, as they hold a 96-69 series lead versus the Nuggets, including a 66-17 advantage when playing at home. Utah was led offensively by center Al Jefferson in last night’s win over the Kings, as he hit 13-of-19 shots and finished up with 26 points. He came into the game averaging a team-high 18.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Bettors will likely back the Jazz due to their 4-0 ATS mark as a favorite of 4.5 points or less, while the Nuggets are 0-5 ATS following a straight-up win.
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