The Jazz depth will be a key factor this season
The Jazz owe this victory to the terrific play of their bench late in the third and early in the fourth quarters. Denver led for the majority of this game, but with a few minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Jazz were able to cut into a 15-point Denver lead while no starters were on the court. An incredible up-and-under three pointer at the buzzer by Joe Johnson cut the lead to five heading into the fourth.
Alec Burks would then score 10 points in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter to help the Jazz take the lead for good. Those 10 points included a baseline dunk on Mason Plumlee, back-to-back three’s and then an acrobatic reverse lay-up.
FINAL: Utah Jazz 106, Denver Nuggets 96.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) October 19, 2017
A rousing comeback gives the Jazz a win in their season opener at home. Bench flexes muscle.
All off-season we have discussed how the Jazz bench was going to be a difference maker throughout the season. That came to fruition during the home opener, as they would score 48 points.
Going forward, this is going to be something to keep an eye on. The Jazz starters need to be able to play the opposing teams starters at least to a standstill, and then their bench will have a good chance to not only break even, but increase leads for the Jazz.