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Jazz-Nuggets Key Matchup: Donovan Mitchell vs. Gary Harris

John Keeffer|
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Utah Jazz will face the Denver Nuggets in an important in-division game tonight. One of the key matchups to watch will be rookie Donovan Mitchell vs. Gary Harris.

This has been a rough stretch of basketball for the Utah Jazz, and after going through the most difficult December schedule in the league, things don’t get much easier. They’ll get a break from facing contenders every night, but they will also be on the road for much of the month. Eight of the 13 games this month will be played away from Vivint Smart Home Arena, and they will only face three teams who are not in playoff contention.

Tonight’s matchup versus the Denver Nuggets is the first of a four-game road trip, and while we are not quite halfway through the season, it feels like this could be a season defining stretch. It all starts tonight against the Nuggets in what is feeling more and more like a must win game for the Jazz.

For the Jazz to win, they are going to need another strong performance from their star rookie, Donovan Mitchell (star, but not all-star). Mitchell has continued to impress all season, and most recently had a magical performance in leading the Jazz to a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James. Performances like that became the expectation in December, and he was recently named the December Rookie of the Month by the NBA.

During the month of December, Mitchell put up averages of 23 points, four assists and three rebounds per game, while also nabbing nearly 2 steals per game. If Mitchell were to continue those averages throughout the rest of the year, he would be the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Lofty expectations, but he started the year with a 24-3-2 line against the Pelicans.

While Mitchell has shone versus many teams, the Denver Nuggets have not been one of them. The Jazz have already faced off against the Nuggets three times this season, and in those three games Mitchell is averaging just 13 points on 39 percent shooting.

A large reason for those struggles may be due to Gary Harris. Harris is an excellent defensive player, and was actually a strong player comparison for Donovan Mitchell as he came into the league. On the season, Harris is averaging 16.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game.

The Jazz, and largely Donovan Mitchell, will need to key in on Gary Harris if they hope to win this important in-division game. If they come out on top, they will hold the 3-1 series lead, and the edge in case there is need for a tiebreaker to make the playoffs.

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I predict Donovan will have a terrific game tonight. He has shown to be an extremely mature player and a fast learner. With this being the fourth time these teams have met in three months, I’m confident he has learned how he needs to adjust in order to have a big game.

The key will also be holding Gary Harris in check. He has averaged roughly 16 points a game versus the Jazz this season, while shooting 50 percent from three. If Mitchell can help in holding him under 15 points, I predict a Jazz victory for tonight.

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