Utah Jazz: Takeaways from opening night against the Denver Nuggets

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 18: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz gestures after a first half call during their game against the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 18: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz gestures after a first half call during their game against the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 18: Karl-Anthony Towns
SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 18: Karl-Anthony Towns

Looking Ahead to Minnesota

Friday, 10/20, Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves

The Jazz will be up against another division foe on Friday night, and this will be our first chance to see the new look Minnesota Timberwolves. Over the off-season they added Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford, and now many experts have them pegged as a 50-win team.

They have to hope their new additions improve their defense from last season though, as they were bottom five in the NBA in defensive rating last season.

The player to watch in that game is going to be Karl-Anthony Towns. Coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds per game, he is a force in the NBA, and at 22 years old he is only getting better.

Next: Utah Jazz grind out season-opening win over Denver Nuggets

The Timberwolves opened their season with a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, 107-99, but they looked solid. Andrew Wiggins looked terrific without Kawhi Leonard guarding him, as he finished with a game high 26 points.

We’ll be watching as we hope to see the Utah Jazz start the season 2-0!