The Denver Nuggets return home to the Pepsi Center after opening the season with a victory over the Dallas Mavericks. At the Can, the Nuggets host their neighbors from out west, the Utah Jazz. It wasn't the best of starts to the season for the Jazz, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, 96-71.
The Jazz had a horrible night shooting, barely shooting over 32 percent from the field. To make matters worse, Jazz starters combined to find the free throw line once. The other 16 attempts came from bench players. In fact, no starter had more than eight points (Derrick Favors, one-time trade chip by the New Jersey Nets for Carmelo Anthony). Paul Millsap led the Jazz with 18 points off the bench.
The Jazz have two rookies, one being former Colorado Buffalo Alec Burks. He played six minutes and finished with zero points. The other, Enes Kanter, scored five points, but he did lead the team with 11 rebounds.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, had an outstanding debut by defeating the defending NBA champions. Point guard Ty Lawson finished with a game-high 27 points and worked well with Andre Miller when both point guards were on the floor at the same time (Miller had 18 points).
Will the Nuggets make it two in a row to start the season?
Game day/time: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
TV:
Denver: Altitude
Utah: Root Sports
For more on this game, visit Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs and Jazz blog SLC Dunk. To keep up with the new season, head over to SB Nation NBA.