Al Jefferson stars as Utah Jazz romp to a 121-102 win over the Denver Nuggets – NBA Recap
Al Jefferson recorded 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Gordon Hayward posted 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead six players in double figures as Utah Jazz romped to their sixth consecutive win by thrashing the Denver Nuggets 121-102.
Jazz (26-22) have now moved to the 7th place in the Western Conference standings, but need to keep on winning as Houston Rockets and the Nuggets have the same record and are only behind due to head to head record.
The Jazz, playing at home, also got 15 points from reserve Alec Burks; Paul Millsap scored 14 points with 7 rebounds; point guard Devin Harris had 13 points and nine assists while C.J. Miles scored Derrick Favors chipped in with 12 points each. Favors also hauled down seven rebounds.
The Nuggets had the better of the Jazz in a fast paced first quarter, but faded away in the second and third quarter, before playing through the motions in the fourth. They were paced by Al Harrington, who had 20 points and 10 boards on relief. Arron Afflalo and Andre Miller scored 14 points apiece; rookie Kenneth Faried added 16 points and 8 rebounds and Wilson Chandler dropped 13.
Nearly midway through the second quarter, the Broncos were leading by 45-41, before Utah reeled off a 22-7 run to gain a solid foothold at 63-52. Miller made a three to make it 55-63 at the break.
The Broncos kept pace with the Salt Lake City franchise early in the third, but with the scores at 69-61, Jazz pulled the trigger with a 22-3 burst that propelled the lead to 91-64, the biggest of the game.
Nuggets stunned at the onslaught, finally connected on some shots deep into the third, ending it on a 12-3 run to make it 76-94.
Jazz however started the fourth quarter strongly and never gave the Nuggets any chance to think about a comeback.
Utah has magnificent night from the floor. They shot 59.3 percent of their field shots including 7-of-15 from the long range. Nuggets on the other hand managed a decent 46.3 percent. That would have sufficed on any other night, but on Friday, the Nuggets were just swept away by the intensity, Jazz showcased.
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