Utah Jazz free-falling in our Western Conference power rankings

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 27: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 27, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7) Denver Nuggets

Speaking of improved defenses, the Denver Nuggets had been surprisingly good recently before giving up 128 points to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. In the three preceding games, they kept the Warriors, Jazz and Trail Blazers under 86 points, while holding them to 38 percent from the floor and 23 percent from distance.

Even Nikola Jokic has been guarding people, which has been a rarity in his young NBA career.

Meanwhile, they’ve continued to be consistently good offensively despite the loss of Paul Millsap in late November. Their O-rating remains in the NBA’s top 10 and has actually improved slightly sans the former Jazzman. If he comes back strong and they do a good job of re-integrating him into the attack, look out.

Next: No. 6

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