Jazz Vs Nuggets

The Utah Jazz have struggled to start this year and lost their fifth game in their past six last night as they were thrashed 128-115 by the San Antonio Spurs on the road.

For the losing side, Keyonte George scored 26 points and had six assists to go with nine of 16 shooting; John Collins and Collin Sexton both scored 20 points; Lauri Markkanen added 14 points.

The Jazz shot 51% from the field, hitting one out of 35 shots from beyond the arc, and had to take just 22 points in the final quarter that made the Spurs get past the Jazz.

That defeat also extended Will Hardy’s side’s run of basketball misfortune in the NBA Emirates Cup to three games and out of the quarter-final of the in-season tournament.

As for the Denver Nuggets, they have been struggling for the past couple of weeks and lost their fourth of the last six games when they were blown out by the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Nuggets used the services of Westbrook who made 27 points out of nine of 16 shooting in the bench position, Jokic who garnered 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assist and Jamal who gave his best to come up with 20 points but all was in vain after Nuggets were walloped 27 points.

Collectively, Denver made 11 of 33 long-range shots and shot 44% from the field, but they struggled to defend for extended stretches, especially in the first half when they gave up 76 points and had to fight all game.

During the post-game press conference, Jokic and Michael Malone both noted that the club has struggled with poor starts this season, falling down at halftime in five of their previous six games.

Even so, the Nuggets rank seventh overall and in the top 10 on the scoring statistics with an average of 117.5 points per game, but they are in the bottom 10 defensively, giving up 116.6 points per game (23rd in the NBA).

Markkanen is labeled as a big doubt for Thursday's game after suffering a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of the last game against the Spurs, which forced him off the court.

Jordan Clarkson's availability status has been raised to probable for the game against the Nuggets, however he missed the Spurs game because of a left foot ailment, his second absence in the last three games.

Aaron Gordon (calf) is still out with no clear return date, and Peyton Watson was allowed to play against the Knicks but is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Jazz due to a right adductor strain.

In their most recent game, the Spurs defeated the Jazz 128-115. They now have the second-worst record in the West after suffering their 13th defeat in 17 games. Over their last six games, Will Hardy's team has only achieved one victory.

The Nuggets have won nine of their 16 games this season, despite having a poor start. They have lost four of their last six games, demonstrating their lack of consistency, particularly in recent games.

After suffering a crushing defeat to the Knicks, Mike Malone's team is now 3.5 games behind the leaders in the Western Conference. Denver was crushed 145-118 in their final home game before starting a two-game road trip.