Denver at Utah

The games are few and the margins are slim in the dramatic NBA West. Denver holds down the 8th and final spot by a single game over Golden State. Utah has proven to be a most difficult out at home, and each notch they can rise, the more opportunity they will have to play at home as the playoffs commence. The Jazz have delivered knockout blows to just about everyone at home. They are 35-4 here this season and 25-1 in their last 26. That includes a 16-2 ATS mark since the All Star break vs. winning teams! They are also 12-3 ATS vs team with a .600+ winning percentage. They have also won 11 of the 12 by 6 or more points. The Nuggets have really struggled on the road vs the NBA's elite teams. They are just 1-8 ATS in their last nine, and have been blown out by double-digits in seven of the eight losses. The Jazz can score, and they defend much better than the high scoring teams like Denver, Phoenix, and Golden State, and it is one reason why they are 8-1 against these teams overall. The Jazz have held their last five opponents to just 82.8 ppg. And that includes three games vs. teams that are better than Denver (San Antonio, New Orelans and Dallas)! They are 17-3 ATS in their last 20 vs. teams that make 6+ three-pointers per game and 14-5 ATS this season at home vs. poor defensive teams like Denver (those allowing 100+ ppg). Denver has proven they can't compete on the road vs the top teams and it doesn't get any stronger than Utah at home.