Story Created:
Feb 5, 2010
Story Updated:
Feb 5, 2010
This time, no excuses.
On Saturday night, in the EnergySolutions Arena, the Denver Nuggets vs. your Utah Jazz. There can be only one winner, and it must be the Jazz.
To validate this great streak, which is up to seven in a row and 11 out of 12, the Jazz have to beat the Nuggets. There’s no way around it.
As they continue to climb the Western Conference standings, the Jazz still need to clear the obstacle that is the Nuggets. It’s not to say the winning streak deserves an asterisk, but it would be somewhat tainted.
Looking back on this season, at least to some degree, I can remotely fathom the three losses the Jazz have suffered to the Nuggets.
This first game came on opening night, when the Nuggets won 114-105 in Denver. The emotions of the first game, coupled with the Carlos Boozer situation, makes that loss understandable.
At that point, coming off a series of controversial radio interviews over the summer, Boozer (who shot 3 of 14) wasn’t himself. It’s hard to play relaxed when you’re trying to win back an entire fan base on each shot attempt.
Loss No. 2 was less than forgivable, as the Nuggets came to Salt Lake City and beat the Jazz without Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony. Following up an outstanding rebut in the first game, rookie Ty Lawson put up 23 points and nine assists to pull off the stunner.
The only defense the Jazz had is timing. They were mired in their worst slump of the season, in the middle of losing three consecutive games, two of which came at home.
The third loss came the second night of a back-to-back, which easily can be chalked up to scheduling.
But in Karl Malone fashion, what go around come around. Which means all the breaks fall the Jazz’s way in the fourth game.
The Nuggets were in Los Angeles for a late game on Friday, meaning they weren’t scheduled to arrive in Utah until the wee hours of the morning. The Jazz, meanwhile, were safely tucked in bed and fast asleep by 10 p.m.
Also, as previously noted, the Jazz are playing their best ball of the season. What happened in October and last month has become irrelevant.
But what happens Saturday could become relevant in May. For confidence sake, the Jazz need to prove to themselves and to the Nuggets that they can beat the defending Northwest Division winners.
A four-game sweep would create a canyon of doubt that the Jazz might not be able to overcome if the two teams meet in the playoffs. It would also slow the momentum the team wants to take into the All-Star break.
With no excuses, there’s also no way the Jazz lose. Not now, not with the schedule as it is, not with Jazz playing this well.
