Jazz Start Hot From Three-Point Range Against Nuggets
Oct 28, 2022, 7:27 PM | Updated: 7:31 pm
Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks to pass around Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Arena on October 19, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz opened their contest against the Denver Nuggets with barrage of three-pointers and forced the Mile High team to take a timeout.
The Nuggets hosted the Jazz at Ball Arena on Friday, October 28.
During the opening three minutes of game time, the Jazz connected on four triples to take an early lead over the Nuggets.
Kelly Olynyk got the scoring started with a 27-foot jumper to give Utah a 3-0 lead almost a minute into the game.
37 seconds later, Mike Conley connected on a three.
The @utahjazz open the game 3/4 from downtown to take an early 9-3 lead over the @nuggets. #TakeNote #UTAvsDEN pic.twitter.com/FZi1x7nLKE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 29, 2022
A minute later, Lauri Markkanen hit the first of two three-pointers. At the 9:06 mark, the Finnish forward hit another three to give Utah a 12-6 lead.
making a mark(kanen) early 🇫🇮#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Uiyb5Rmvo7
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 29, 2022
This season, the Jazz are shooting 45.5 percent overall and 36.0 percent from three-point range. Utah is averaging 40.6 three-point attempts per game.
Utah’s game against Denver is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
📻 LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @nuggets on the @kslsports app, https://t.co/4kU961UAvR, and @KSLSportsZone. 🎷⛏️🏀#TakeNote #UTAvsDEN https://t.co/dCNNxuVTB8 pic.twitter.com/zIE0XCnVIa
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 29, 2022
Jazz vs. Nuggets
Multiple Jazz players won’t suit up for Utah’s road game in the Mile High City, a couple of which due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols for COVID-19.
Forwards Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio were ruled out by the Jazz because of the protocols.
In addition to those players, first-year center Walker Kessler is out due to a non-COVID-19 illness.
UPDATE: The @utahjazz announced that Walker Kessler is OUT (illness) and Collin Sexton is available to play (left oblique contusion). #TakeNote @BensHoops https://t.co/hs8T1oO5JS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 28, 2022
Two-way rookie Johnny Juzang is currently with the Salt Lake City Stars.
First Five Games
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The Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers are the two hottest teams in the Western Conference opening the season 4-1.
The Blazers stood alone atop the West until they fell to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at home.
The Jazz meanwhile avenged Monday’s loss in Houston with a 109-101 victory over the Rockets in Salt Lake City before setting off for a one-game road trip against the Nuggets.
Lauri Markkanen is having a career-year in Utah averaging 22.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in dive appearances with the Jazz.
Guard Jordan Clarkson is also experiencing career-bests in points, rebounds, assists, and three-point percentage as a full-time starter for the Jazz.
Markkanen and Clarkson combined for 44 points in the Jazz win over the Rockets.
🤓Hoops school is in session🤓
Throughout the season, @BensHoops will grade the @utahjazz on these four factors.
Full report card: https://t.co/vuhT8kSvPl#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/wmNn7TiRyc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 28, 2022
Nuggets Trying To Find Footing
The Nuggets are off to a bit of a wobbly start to open the season at 3-2.
Denver has lost to both the Jazz and the Trail Blazers in blowout fashion, but has recorded wins over the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and most recently the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Nuggets own the seventh-worst defensive rating entering Friday night’s game against the Jazz and have given up 123 points or more in three of their five outings.
Gameday info ℹ️ #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/hzV42GhmXm
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 28, 2022
Denver’s normally high-powered offense has struggled this season since welcoming back Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back surgery) from serious injuries last season.
Superstar center Nikola Jokic’s scoring is down nearly five full points from his average last season, though he’s averaging a career-high 9.4 assists through five games.
