The Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz were both involved in blockbuster deals at the trade deadline where they traded away their best players. While the Nuggets seem rejuvenated since making their deal, the Jazz continue to struggle.
On Thursday, the Denver Nuggets (36-26, 10-19 away) will visit the Utah Jazz (32-29, 17-14 home) for the first time since both teams were prominently involved in the trade deadline. Denver dealt All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to New York on Feb. 22 in a three-team, 13-player deal. A day later, Utah sent All-Star point guard Deron Williams to New Jersey in exchange for Devin Harris and rookie Derrick Favors.
Denver has won four of five and is averaging 107.0 points per game since trading Anthony. The Nuggets are second in the Northwest Division and have moved to within 1 ½ games behind Oklahoma City.
The Nuggets were at their best in Wednesday’s 120-80 rout of Charlotte. Seven players scored in double-digits and they collected a season-high 34 assists. Wilson Chandler, brought over in the Anthony deal, led the way with 16 points.
For Utah, not a lot has changed since trading Williams. The Jazz were 7-15 in their final 22 games with Williams and they have lost three of four since making the deal. They are allowing an average of 107.3 points in the four games since Williams left.
The Jazz nearly upset Boston on Monday before ultimately falling 107-102. Al Jefferson had one of his best games since joining Utah, scoring 28 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. After the game, they signed coach Ty Corbin to a multiyear contract less than a month after he replaced Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan.
I'm a basketball fan from Vancouver, Canada. Losing the Grizzlies was bitter-sweet. They sucked balls, so I never really started supporting them, but now I only get to catch games on TV.