The game between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will take place at Amway Center on Saturday, April 8 at 3:30 PM ET.
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The Utah Jazz will welcome the Denver Nuggets to the Amway Center for an NBA game on Saturday. The Utah Jazz lost 98-114 in their last game over the Thunder. Kris Dunn had 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Jazz, who were eliminated from postseason contention. “It’s a hard moment to know that you’re out. But, again, I don’t think our team should walk out of here or think about this season in any other way than with their heads up and their shoulders pulled back with a lot of pride,” Utah coach Will Hardy said.
The Jazz played a 1-3-1 zone that flustered Oklahoma City in the first half, but the Thunder attacked it with patience later on and got plenty of open looks. With most of their shooters on the bench with injuries, the Jazz made a season-low five 3-pointers on 31 attempts. When the Jazz trimmed the lead to 75-74, Gilgeous-Alexander scored the first seven of a 19-2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to take command of the game.
“With guys out, they had some players that seemed uncertain so we were able to read some of those plays,” said Wiggins, who had three steals as the Thunders converted 19 Utah turnovers into 26 points. Kelly Olynyk, who had 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, and Dunn were the only Utah players available averaging 10 or more points. “Ten years in this league, I’ve played in the playoffs and been to the Finals. That’s what it’s about. … Obviously, it’s a ((lousy) feeling being officially eliminated,” Olynyk said.
The Denver Nuggets on the other hand lost 119-115 against the Suns in their last game. Bruce Brown led Denver (52-28) with 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Reggie Jackson had 20 points and six assists, Christian Braun had 15 points, Jeff Green scored 14 and DeAndre Jordan had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Nikola Jokic had missed three games with a calf injury before returning to play 25 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to Houston. He was sidelined again Thursday, as were Aaron Gordon (right shoulder), Michael Porter Jr. (left heel), Jamal Murray (right thumb) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (illness). Nuggets coach Michael Malone was pleased that his team gave the full-strength Suns a game all the way.
“I am happy and almost a little (ticked) because I thought we should have won,” Malone said. “Our guys fought, competed, played their hearts out and gave us a chance to win. “If you take away the 3-point line I think our defense was pretty good for most of the night.” The Nuggets clinched the No. 1 seed in the West on Wednesday when Memphis lost to New Orleans. They’re also dealing with enough injuries that the entire starting five was out Thursday.
Utah Jazz: Kelly Olynyk, Luka Šamanić, Udoka Azubuike, Kris Dunn, Ochai Agbaji
Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown Jr., Reggie Jackson
Utah Jazz: Talen Horton-Tucker, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Rudy Gay, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler
Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown, Michael Porter Jr., Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Collin Gillespie
The game between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will take place at Amway Center on Saturday, April 8 at 3:30 PM ET.
The match between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will be telecast live on Altitude, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
| Country | Channel | Date and Time |
| United States | Altitude, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain. | April 8 (3:30 PM ET) |
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