Nuggets vs. Jazz NBA expert prediction, pick and odds for Tuesday, April 9 (Take the points with Utah)
It will be a thrilling race to the finish line in the Western Conference with three teams battling it out for the No. 1 seed. The Denver Nuggets have won three of their last four games after an offensive explosion against Atlanta on Saturday. Denver and Minnesota are tied at the summit of the west entering the final week of the regular season and will need to finish strong to capture the No. 1 seed.
Utah has won just one game (March 15 vs. Atlanta) over the last month and have dropped 12 consecutive games. The Jazz hung around in their last outing, but ultimately fell to the Warriors on the road, 118-110. Can they stay within the big spread Tuesday night in Salt Lake City?
Here’s the betting breakdown of the matchup with a best bet.
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Nuggets vs. Jazz odds, spread and total
Nuggets vs. Jazz how to watch
- Date: Tuesday, April 9
- Game time: 9 p.m. EST
- Venue: Delta Center
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
- Nuggets record: 54-24
- Jazz record: 29-49
Nuggets vs. Jazz injury report
Denver Nuggets
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (shoulder): probable
- Vlatko Cancar (knee): out
- Aaron Gordon (foot): questionable
- Nikola Jokic (hip): probable
- Jamal Murray (knee): probable
- Michael Porter Jr. (knee): probable
- Julian Strawther (ankle): probable
Utah Jazz
- Jordan Clarkson (SI joint): out
- John Collins (back): out
- Kris Dunn (foot): OUT
- Walker Kessler (nasal fracture): out
- Lauri Markkanen (shoulder): out
Nuggets vs. Jazz key players to watch
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray: After missing over two weeks, Murray returned in Saturday’s 142-110 victory over Atlanta and turned in a solid effort in limited action. In 21 minutes, Murray finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and a half-dozen assists. Murray is trending toward suiting up again in Utah and carries a probable tag into the matchup.
Utah Jazz
Johnny Juzang: The rookie UCLA product is trying to take advantage of an increase in workload with Utah hampered by injuries and limping toward the end of the regular season. Juzang did just that in Sunday’s loss at Golden State, finishing with 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, going 7-of-8 from downtown.
Nuggets vs. Jazz prediction and pick
There’s not a lot to like about this Utah club, which will be without three of its top-four scorers. Collin Sexton is still around, but a shorthanded lineup against a title-contending Denver Nuggets squad is not what you want as a backer.
Utah has lost by 16-plus points seven times over its current 12-game losing streak. However, Denver hasn’t been great as a road favorite this season (11-17-1 ATS) and have gone 6-8 ATS in its last 14 games as a double-digit favorite.
You won’t find many statistical metrics that favor Utah in this matchup. With Murray back in the lineup, Denver at its best could run up the score against a Utah squad that is 29th in the NBA in scoring defense and last in net rating.
Ultimately, though, this is about the spot. Denver starts a back-to-back Tuesday in Utah. They have a gargantuan matchup on deck Wednesday against the Timberwolves in a game that could decide the No. 1 seed in the West.
It’s possible the Nuggets sleepwalk in this matchup, overlooking the Jazz with their eyes on the Timberwolves. Take the points with Utah.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.