Game ID: 22400445
Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz
Monday, December 30, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 37 29 23 32 121DEN 36 28 34 34 132
DEN @ UTA ScoutingDEN @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 23 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 10 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Mykhailiuk missed 3 since 12/13, returns tonight: 20 min (100% of 20)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 8 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 17 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 12/13 after 7, 22 min since (87% of 26)
BACK Filipowski back 12/08 after 7, 13 min since (62% of 21)
BACK Potter back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (61% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 12/19 after 2, 13 min since (84% of 15)
UTA availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 24 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 11 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Filipowski missed 2 since 12/19, returns tonight: 10 min (45% of 21)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 9 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 18 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 12/13 after 7, 25 min since (95% of 26)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 12/21 after 3, 20 min since (100% of 20)
BACK Potter back 12/19 after 2, 10 min since (54% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (71% of 15)
UTA availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT George missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 25 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 12 since 11/26, returns tonight: 25 min (118% of 21)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 10 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 19 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 12/13 after 7, 26 min since (101% of 26)
BACK Filipowski back 12/23 after 2, 10 min since (45% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 12/21 after 3, 23 min since (114% of 20)
BACK Potter back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (83% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (71% of 15)
NEW Collins 30 to 36 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 26 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 11 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 20 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK Williams back 12/26 after 12, 25 min since (118% of 21)
BACK Filipowski back 12/23 after 2, 14 min since (64% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 12/21 after 3, 23 min since (117% of 20)
BACK Potter back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (83% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 12/19 after 2, 13 min since (86% of 15)
UTA availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 4 since 12/21, returns tonight: 28 min (90% of 32)
OUT Collins missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 27 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 12 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 21 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK Williams back 12/26 after 12, 24 min since (114% of 21)
BACK Filipowski back 12/23 after 2, 12 min since (58% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 12/21 after 3, 23 min since (117% of 20)
BACK Potter back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (83% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 12/19 after 2, 12 min since (79% of 15)
UTA availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 28 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Mykhailiuk missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 16 min (79% of 20)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 13 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 22 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK George back 12/30 after 4, 28 min since (90% of 32)
BACK Williams back 12/26 after 12, 22 min since (103% of 21)
BACK Filipowski back 12/23 after 2, 12 min since (55% of 21)
UTA availability going into 1/04 · 2 days' restOUT Collins missed 5 since 12/23, returns tonight: 28 min (93% of 30)
OUT Hendricks missed 29 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 2 since 12/30, returns tonight: 7 min (36% of 19)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 14 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 23 since 11/12, out tonight
BACK George back 12/30 after 4, 32 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Williams back 12/26 after 12, 22 min since (103% of 21)
BACK Filipowski back 12/23 after 2, 12 min since (55% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (79% of 20)
UTA availability going into 1/05 · back-to-backOUT Hendricks missed 30 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 15 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 3 since 12/30, returns tonight: 17 min (108% of 15)
OUT Mills missed 24 since 11/12, returns tonight: 19 min (125% of 15)
BACK George back 12/30 after 4, 30 min since (96% of 32)
BACK Collins back 1/04 after 5, 28 min since (93% of 30)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (79% of 20)
BACK Potter back 1/04 after 2, 7 min since (36% of 19)
UTA availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 31 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 1/01, returns tonight: 29 min (139% of 21)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 16 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK George back 12/30 after 4, 30 min since (96% of 32)
BACK Collins back 1/04 after 5, 28 min since (93% of 30)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 1/01 after 2, 18 min since (90% of 20)
BACK Potter back 1/04 after 2, 14 min since (74% of 19)
BACK Eubanks back 1/05 after 3, 17 min since (108% of 15)
BACK Mills back 1/05 after 24, 19 min since (125% of 15)
DEN availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 11 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 12/16, returns tonight: 23 min (183% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 12/16, returns tonight: 4 min (40% of 10)
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (101% of 37)
DEN availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 12 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/13 after 2, 37 min since (101% of 37)
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 23 min since (183% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 4 min since (40% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 13 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 23 min since (183% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 4 min since (40% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/28 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 14 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (98% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 3 min since (28% of 10)
DEN availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 15 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (98% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 12/23 after 3, 3 min since (28% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 3 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 16 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 13 min (104% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 3 min (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 17 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/04 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 5 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 18 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/07 · 2 days' restOUT Gordon missed 6 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 19 since 11/25, returns tonight: 16 min (126% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 1/03, returns tonight: 5 min (49% of 10)
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 8 min since (67% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 24 and Sexton at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without George (4 straight), Collins (3 straight), Hendricks (27 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Gordon (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-10 a night and Denver plus-4 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 19 times a game to Denver's 15. Call it Denver 118, Utah 117, Utah keeping it close.
12/21 @ BKN 105-94 — UTA notes
UTA won 105-94. UTA shot 48% (41 of 86) to BKN's 40%, 14 of 41 from three. Markkanen led with 21 (8 of 21, 3 of 13 from three); Sexton added 18, Mykhailiuk 18. The hinge was Q2, 31-21: UTA came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 5, and the lead reached 20. Juzang was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
12/23 @ CLE 113-124 — UTA notes
UTA lost 113-124. UTA shot 41% (38 of 92) to CLE's 47%, 19 of 44 from three. UTA turned it over 16 times to CLE's 9, and CLE turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 51-40 for them. Clarkson led with 27 (7 of 17, 3 of 5 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Markkanen added 26, Sexton 24. Q4 was theirs, 25-25, but the other 3 periods went 99-88 against them. Mykhailiuk's -16 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 @ POR 120-122 — UTA notes
UTA lost 120-122. UTA shot 48% (41 of 86) to POR's 51%, 21 of 42 from three. Markkanen led with 25 (8 of 14, 4 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Sexton added 19, Mykhailiuk 18. Q3 was theirs, 34-26, turning a 1-point deficit into a 7-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 96-86 against them. They led by as many as 15. Williams's -18 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/28 vs PHI 111-114 — UTA notes
UTA lost 111-114. UTA shot 48% (43 of 89) to PHI's 43%, 12 of 36 from three, and got to the line 15 times to PHI's 37. UTA turned it over 21 times to PHI's 8, and PHI turned those into 15 steals. The glass went 48-32 for them. Markkanen led with 23 (8 of 21, 5 of 15 from three); Sexton added 20, Sensabaugh 20. Q1 was theirs, 34-22, but the other 3 periods went 92-77 against them. They led by as many as 14. Collier's -12 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/30 vs DEN 121-132 — UTA notes
UTA lost 121-132. UTA shot 51% (44 of 86) to DEN's 50%, 13 of 38 from three. UTA turned it over 16 times to DEN's 7, and DEN turned those into 13 steals. The glass went 37-51 against them. Clarkson led with 24 (7 of 15, 3 of 5 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Sexton added 22, Markkanen 17. Q1 was theirs, 37-36, but the other 3 periods went 96-84 against them. Markkanen's -18 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/01 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 112, shooting 51 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Brunson at 26 and Towns at 26 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Clarkson at 21 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Collins (4 straight), Hendricks (28 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 17 times a game to New York's 12 and the arc, Utah at 39 percent from three to New York's 34. Call it New York 121, Utah 111, New York by 10.
1/04 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Herro at 25 and Adebayo at 15 a game. Without Richardson (19 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Clarkson at 23 and Sexton at 22 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Collins (5 straight), Hendricks (29 straight), Potter (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 109 a night to Utah's 122 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 16 times a game to Miami's 13. Call it Miami 116, Utah 110.
1/05 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 100, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Suggs at 19 and da Silva at 13 a game. Without Banchero (31 straight), Wagner (11 straight), Black (3 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 21 and Markkanen at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hendricks (30 straight), Williams (2 straight), Tshiebwe (15 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 100 a night to Utah's 117 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-6 a night and Orlando minus-2. Call it Orlando 111, Utah 107, Utah keeping it close.
1/07 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Sexton at 21 and Sensabaugh at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hendricks (31 straight), Williams (3 straight), Tshiebwe (16 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 26 and Johnson at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Nance Jr. (4 straight), Wallace (3 straight), Gueye (28 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-6 a night and Atlanta minus-6 and the defense, Utah allowing 111 a night to Atlanta's 121. Call it Utah 118, Atlanta 115, Atlanta keeping it close.
12/23 vs PHX 117-90 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-90. DEN shot 51% (46 of 90) to PHX's 40%, 16 of 41 from three. Jokić led with 32 (12 of 17, 4 of 6 from three); Porter Jr. added 24, Gordon 12. The hinge was Q3, 45-28: a lead of 4 became 21, and the lead reached 28. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
12/25 @ PHX 100-110 — DEN notes
DEN lost 100-110. DEN shot 46% (36 of 78) to PHX's 47%, 8 of 29 from three, and went to the line 28 times to PHX's 20 — 20 points from the stripe to their 17. DEN turned it over 16 times to PHX's 7, and PHX turned those into 12 steals. Jokić led with 25 (10 of 19, 2 of 7 from three); Porter Jr. added 22, Westbrook 17. Q2 was theirs, 22-20, the deficit cut from 4 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 90-78 against them. Murray's -16 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs CLE 135-149 — DEN notes
DEN lost 135-149. DEN shot 56% (53 of 94) to CLE's 56%, 15 of 31 from three. Murray led with 27 (10 of 20, 3 of 6 from three); Jokić added 27, Porter Jr. 18. Q4 was theirs, 34-33, the deficit cut from 15 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 116-101 against them. Braun's -21 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/28 vs DET 134-121 — DEN notes
DEN won 134-121. DEN shot 56% (46 of 82) to DET's 48%, 13 of 27 from three, and went to the line 36 times to DET's 23 — 29 points from the stripe to their 17. Jokić led with 37 (11 of 17, 4 of 5 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Murray added 34, Porter Jr. 26. The hinge was Q3, 47-28: a lead of 6 became 25. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/30 @ UTA 132-121 — DEN notes
DEN won 132-121. DEN shot 50% (53 of 105) to UTA's 51%, 9 of 30 from three. DEN turned it over 7 times to UTA's 16. The glass went 51-37 for them. Jokić led with 36 (14 of 33, 3 of 9 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Porter Jr. added 21, Murray 20. The hinge was Q3, 34-23: DEN came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 9. DEN trailed 64-66 at the half and won the second half 68-55. Westbrook was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/01 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 25 and Hunter at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Daniels (2 straight), Bogdanović (4 straight), Gueye (25 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 12 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and Atlanta minus-1. Call it Denver 121, Atlanta 119, Atlanta keeping it close.
1/03 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 124, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Gordon (4 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 30 and Vassell at 13 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 103 a night to Denver's 124 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 33. Call it Denver 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
1/04 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 31 and Vassell at 14 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 125, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 23 a game. Without Gordon (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 102 a night to Denver's 125 and the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to San Antonio's 34. Call it San Antonio 117, Denver 115, Denver keeping it close.
1/07 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Porter Jr. at 24 a game. Without Gordon (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 100, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Tatum at 25 and Brown at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 100 a night to Denver's 117 and the line, where Denver takes 23 free throws a game to Boston's 16. Call it Denver 116, Boston 115, Boston keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
CW C. Williams
IC I. Collier
JC J. Clarkson
JJ J. Juzang
KF K. Filipowski
KG K. George
LM L. Markkanen
WK W. Kessler
DENCB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RW R. Westbrook
UTA/DEN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Westbrook has 'perfect' triple-double, 0 turnovers in Nuggets' 132-121 win over Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Russell Westbrook became the second player in NBA history to have a triple-double with zero turnovers and shoot 100% from the field and the free-throw line in the Denver Nuggets ' 132-121 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Westbrook finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He shot 7 for 7 from the field and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line to join Domantas Sabonis in the history books.
Nikola Jokic also had a triple-double with 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists, and Jamal Murray had 10 assists to go along with 20 points.
Jordan Clarkson scored 24, and Collin Sexton had 22 for the Jazz.
Utah led 66-64 at the break, but Denver outscored the Jazz 34-23 in the third to build some separation.
Both teams were missing a starting forward. Denver's Aaron Gordon sat out with a right calf strain and Utah's John Collins missed his fourth straight game with a hip bruise.
Takeaways Nuggets: Denver struggled again when Jokic was on the bench. Once he returned in the fourth quarter, he immediately hit a 3-pointer and found Westbrook for a dunk and his 10th assist a couple minutes later.
Jazz: Utah played four rookies — Kyle Filipowski , Isaiah Collier , Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams — with Clarkson for a key stretch in the fourth quarter and actually cut the Denver's lead to 109-107 on Filipowski's three-point play with 7:28 remaining.
Key moment Westbrook stole the ball from Sexton and dunked it on the other end to give Denver a 126-114 lead with 2:46 remaining.
Key stat The Jazz, who commit more turnovers than any team in the league, had 13 turnovers in the second half which led to 14 Denver points. Utah only had three in the first half.
Up next The Jazz are at New York and the Nuggets host Atlanta on Wednesday.