Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Jazz vs Nuggets November 27th 2024

At 9:00 ET, the Denver Nuggets (-415) will take on the Utah Jazz (+321) in a Western Northwest division matchup. The Nuggets are currently favored by 9 points and have a record of 9-7. The Jazz are 4-13 and are 14th in the Western Conference.

This game will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and can be seen on KJZZ.

Nuggets vs. Jazz Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
• Where: Salt Lake City at Delta Center
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds DEN -9, DEN -415 | UTA +321 O/U 231.5

The Nuggets Can Win If…

The Nuggets fell to 9-7 on the season after a 145-118 loss to the Knicks on Monday. Denver, favored by 2 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 263 points exceeded the over/under line of 235 by 28 points.

Denver struggled from the start, trailing 36-24 after the 1st quarter. An 11-0 run by the Knicks tightened the game, and New York pulled away by outscoring Denver 40-29 in the 2nd quarter. Heading into the 4th, the Nuggets were down 113-87, and the Knicks edged them 32-31 in the final period.

In their loss to the Knicks, the Nuggets shot 44.6% from the field and 33.3% from three, hitting 11 threes. Russell Westbrook led the way with 27 points, knocking down 4 threes at a 57.1% clip.

Nikola Jokic added 22 points and 7 assists, with 13 of his points coming in the 1st quarter. Westbrook had a huge 4th quarter, scoring 24 of his 27 points in the final period.

The Nuggets struggled defensively against the Knicks, giving up 145 points on 60% shooting. Denver allowed 36 points in the 1st quarter, 40 in the 2nd, 37 in the 3rd, and 32 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Nuggets allowed 19 threes on 52% shooting. They sent the Knicks to the line 16 times, where they made 14 free throws. Denver finished with 23 defensive rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 blocks.

• Across their ten previous road games, Denver has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 112 points per game.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-7-1.
• Over their last three games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Jazz Can Win If…

Utah’s season struggles continued on Tuesday, as they fell to 4-13 after a 128-115 loss to the Spurs. The Jazz were +2 point underdogs at home but failed to cover the spread, losing by 13 points. The game’s total of 243 points exceeded the O/U line of 224.5 by 18.5 points.

Utah started strong, leading 35-32 after the 1st quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Spurs shifted momentum. The Jazz trailed 96-93 going into the 4th, but San Antonio pulled away, outscoring them 32-22 in the final quarter.

Keyonte George led the Jazz with 26 points and 7 assists in their 128-115 loss to the Spurs, hitting 6 threes at a 50% rate. He scored 15 of his points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 3rd. John Collins and Collin Sexton each contributed 20 points, with Collins shooting 70% from the field.

The Jazz shot 51.2% overall, connecting on 13 threes at a 37.1% clip. Brice Sensabaugh had a standout 2nd quarter, scoring all 16 of his points in that period.

Defensively, the Jazz struggled against the Spurs, giving up 128 points while allowing at least 30 points in each quarter. San Antonio shot 48% from the field.

Utah also allowed 18 three-pointers on 37% shooting. The Spurs went 20/26 from the free-throw line. The Jazz finished with 31 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 4 blocks.

• Through their last ten home games, Utah has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 112 points per game.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Jazz have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
• In their last three games, the Jazz have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +9, the Jazz is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 231.5 and our model has the Nuggets and Jazz finishing with a combined 222 points. Our pick is to take the under.

Daily NBA Picks

Nuggets Coach Mike Malone Calls for Accountability as Denver Prepares for Utah Matchup

Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone didn’t mince words after his team’s disheartening 145-118 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night. As the Nuggets gear up to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday in Salt Lake City, Malone made it clear that he expects a stronger showing from his team in terms of effort, leadership, and defense.

Denver Nuggets: Searching for Leadership and Toughness

In his postgame remarks, Malone expressed frustration over the Nuggets’ lack of intensity and cohesion.

“Regardless of who’s in, who’s out—who do we want to be as a team?” Malone said. “Leadership would be great. Toughness would be great. Physicality would be great. Playing like you actually care would be great. We didn’t do that tonight.”

The numbers backed up Malone’s assessment. Denver allowed the Knicks to shoot a staggering 60.9% from the field while recording only 23 assists compared to New York’s franchise-record 45. The Nuggets were also outscored significantly in several key areas, including points in the paint (62-46), fast breaks (24-8), and rebounds (43-33).

While Russell Westbrook led Denver with 27 points, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had an uncharacteristically modest game with 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Jamal Murray added 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep the game competitive. Malone called for more vocal leadership from his stars, particularly Jokic and Murray, alongside Westbrook.

“We got embarrassed,” Malone said bluntly. “We’re 16 games in, and we’re still talking about effort, toughness, and physicality. That’s a problem.”

Utah Jazz: Fighting Turnovers and Injuries

The Utah Jazz are facing their own set of challenges heading into the matchup. After a morale-boosting win over the Knicks on Saturday, Utah stumbled in a 128-115 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The Jazz faltered in the fourth quarter, scoring just 22 points while allowing the Spurs to dominate on offensive rebounds and capitalize on turnovers.

Utah turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 33 points for San Antonio. Jazz coach Will Hardy lamented his team’s self-inflicted wounds, saying, “I really do think that ultimately tonight we beat ourselves. Close game at home going into the fourth. … Another night where we have 20-plus turnovers—it’s just hard to win.”

Adding to Utah’s troubles, Lauri Markkanen exited the game with a left knee contusion after a collision with Victor Wembanyama. Keyonte George stepped up with 26 points, while Collin Sexton contributed 20 points and four assists, but the loss marked Utah’s fifth defeat in six games.

A Crucial Matchup for Both Teams

Denver and Utah last met on November 2, when the Nuggets cruised to a 129-103 victory. That game was part of Utah’s rocky 0-6 season start. However, much has changed since then for both teams.

The Nuggets, though sitting higher in the standings, are grappling with inconsistent performances and a lack of defensive identity. Meanwhile, the Jazz, a team in transition, are trying to iron out fundamental issues like ball security and rebounding while managing injuries to key players.

What’s at Stake

For Denver, this game is an opportunity to reset after two poor performances, including a loss to Dallas prior to the Knicks debacle. Malone’s pointed criticism underscores the urgency of establishing consistency and accountability. A strong performance from Jokic and Murray will be critical to reigniting the team’s momentum.

For Utah, the focus will be on cutting down turnovers and maintaining composure in crunch time. The team must also prepare for the potential absence of Markkanen, a pivotal player in their offensive and defensive schemes.

The Road Ahead

Both teams are at critical junctures in their seasons. Denver needs to prove it can respond to adversity and deliver consistent effort, especially against a team they’ve already beaten this year. Utah, on the other hand, has an opportunity to turn their fortunes around by addressing execution issues and rallying around younger players like George and Sexton.

With both teams hungry for a win, Wednesday’s showdown promises to be a telling moment for the trajectory of their respective seasons. Will Denver answer Malone’s call for toughness and leadership, or will Utah capitalize on its home-court advantage despite its challenges? One thing is certain: the stakes are high for both sides.

Key Stats to Watch:

• Denver’s defensive performance after allowing 60.9% shooting vs. New York.
• Utah’s turnovers, which led to 33 points for San Antonio in their last game.
• Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray’s response to Malone’s demand for leadership.

Predicted Impact Players:

• Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray
• Utah Jazz: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen (if healthy)

The battle between two teams looking for redemption will offer fans plenty of drama and intensity. Can Denver regain its championship form, or will Utah’s resilience shine through?