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The Utah Jazz visit Ball Arena to take on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The Nuggets are struggling to stay above .500 for the season while the Jazz are arguably the third-best team in the West right now.
The Utah Jazz had their six-game win streak snapped by the league's best Golden State Warriors but have rolled over other teams with ease. They are 27-10 on the season and are one of just two teams in the entire league that are in the top five in both offensive and defensive ratings. The other team is the Golden State Warriors.
The Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, will go as far as their reigning MVP takes them. They have managed to win games despite dealing with injuries. Several role players have stepped up in the absence of starters, but it doesn't look like they will make any noise in the playoffs. The highlight of their week was their morale-boosting victory against the Golden State Warriors on the road.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
The Utah Jazz have a lengthy injury report for the first time this season. They were, surprisingly, unaffected by the recent surge of COVID cases in the NBA. However, they now have their first player listed under the league's health and safety protocols. Joe Ingles became their first player to enter safety protocols and is listed as out for the game.
Additionally, their entire starting lineup, with the exception of Mike Conley, is listed on the injury report for this game. Donovan Mitchell is probable while Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O'Neale are all questionable.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson is also listed as probable due to lower back tightness, while Hassan Whiteside is questionable as he enters concussion protocol. Udoka Azubuike was sidelined for weeks due to his ankle injury but has now been upgraded to questionable.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and PJ Dozier continue to be sidelined with their respective long-term injuries. Zeke Nnaji, Monte Morris and Jeff Green are under the NBA's health and safety protocols. Nnaji is questionable while Green and Morris are ruled out.
Moreover, Markus Howard and Vlatko Cancar are sidelined due to a knee sprain and foot fracture respectively. Austin Rivers remains questionable due to a sprained right thumb.
Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Predicted Lineups
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz will deploy their ideal lineup if all the starters play. However, looking at the sheer number of players listed on the injury report for this matchup, it does look like the team is planning on resting all these high-usage players. Mike Conley will retain his point guard role and Jared Butler will likely start as the shooting guard in place of Donovan Mitchell.
Rudy Gay is expected to start as the small forward until Bogdanovic is cleared to play and Eric Paschall will likely take the power forward role, replacing O'Neale. Elijah Hughes is expected to get frontcourt minutes as all three listed centers are questionable to play but we predict that either Azubuike or Whiteside will lace up as the five.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets will deploy a new lineup if Austin Rivers doesn't play. Facundo Campazzo will start as point guard and Will Barton will join him in the backcourt. Jeff Green will likely take the small forward role and Aaron Gordon will be the power forward as usual. Nikola Jokic will retain his center position. JaMychal Green, Bones Hyland and Davon Reed will likely get the most minutes off the bench.
Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Predicted Starting 5s
Utah Jazz
G - Mike Conley | G - Jared Butler | F - Rudy Gay | F - Eric Pascall | C - Hassan Whiteside.
Denver Nuggets
G - Facundo Campazzo | G - Will Barton | F - Jeff Green | F - Aaron Gordon | C - Nikola Jokic.
