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Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets: preview and Win Meter

Utah Jazz → Denver Nuggets →

Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, February 17 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Nuggets about a 89% chance, and the Jazz would need an unusual night to change that.

Why the gap is wide

The Win Meter reads the Nuggets 89%, with a projected score of Utah Jazz 109, Denver Nuggets 122. The rating gap is 270 points in favor of the Nuggets, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Nuggets on top of that.

A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 9 like it goes the other way.

Recent form

The Jazz are 1-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.2. The Nuggets are 1-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -4.4.

The Jazz's best recent win was 147-101 at home against MEM.

The Jazz were beaten 131-107 on the road by LAL not long ago.

The Nuggets were beaten 112-96 on the road by MIN not long ago.

Injuries to watch

Out: Jusuf Nurkic (UTA), expected back Nov 4, 2026, Trey Alexander (UTA), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Spencer Jones (DEN), expected back Oct 28, 2026, and Julian Strawther (DEN), expected back Nov 29, 2026.

Day to day or questionable: Cameron Johnson (DEN) and Alpha Diallo (DEN). Their status can change before tip-off.

The season series

In our records of recent meetings, the Nuggets lead 8-0, with the Nuggets outscoring the Jazz by an average of 17.1 points per game. The last meeting was DEN 130, UTA 117.

Last five games

Oldest to newest. Tap a result for the score.

Jazz2-3, -1.2 avg margin
Nuggets2-3, -4.4 avg margin

Pick a result above.

Keys to the game

  • Health: 4 players are listed as out, so watch who steps into the rotation.
  • Home court is worth about three and a half points in our model, which helps the Nuggets.

Recent meetings

  • Apr 1: DEN 130, UTA 117
  • Mar 27: UTA 129, DEN 135
  • Mar 2: DEN 128, UTA 125
  • Dec 22: UTA 112, DEN 135
  • Mar 28: UTA 93, DEN 129

Injury report

Utah Jazz
  • Jusuf Nurkic Out · back Nov 4
  • Trey Alexander Out · back Oct 26
Denver Nuggets
  • Spencer Jones Out · back Oct 28
  • Julian Strawther Out · back Nov 29
  • Cameron Johnson Doubtful · back Oct 26
  • Alpha Diallo Doubtful · back Oct 26

Win Meter

11%
89%
JazzNuggets

Projected score: Jazz 109, Nuggets 122

Model estimate for information and entertainment.

Win Meter lab

The reading comes from the rating gap plus a bonus for home court and rest. Slide the bonus to see how much it matters.

11%
89%
JazzNuggets

Matchup at a glance

UTADEN
Record1-21-1
Last 5WLLWLLWLLW
Points per game115.3112.5
Allowed per game124.7115.5
Days of rest––
Rating13201590

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