Big Fourth over Jazz Propels Nuggets to Second Win of Season

[Photo Courtesy: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer]

The Denver Nuggets came away with the victory at Energy Solutions Arena in Utah, as Andre Miller scored nine of his fifteen points in the 4th, outscoring the Jazz 30-13, with a 100-81 victory.

Ty Lawson started off Denver’s night with a two-point jump shot that was on the line, giving the Nuggets an early 2-0 lead. Following a stop, Jordan Hamilton drilled a three-pointer to put the Nuggs up by 5. It seemed to be one of those games Denver would cruise, but that wasn’t the case. After a Lawson layup, Gordon Hayward caught Randy Foye cheating on the help side, and took it to the rack for the and one. J.J. Hickson was in foul trouble early committing two fouls, paving the way for Timofey Mozgov for more minutes. Hayward a couple of possessions later took it to the hole once again for another and one, putting the Utah Jazz up 15-10.

The Nuggets defense still has a lot of work to do, as they failed to defend the help side as Richard Jefferson connected with an uncontested layup. Denver started the game on a 6-to-0 run, and let the Jazz take control with a 17-to-4 run of their own, taking the lead, 17-10. Mozgov ended the 19-to-4 run with an uncontested layup, but Hayward would answer quickly with a two of his own. Darrell Arthur has been a nice fit for Brian Shaw’s offense, connecting with a pick-and-pop jumper assisted by Ty Lawson. A questionable no-call as Ty Lawson took it to the rim for a layup and was pinned off the glass, should have been goaltending. Mozgov would be fouled later on in that sequence, converting both free throws, as Denver trailed Utah 26-20 at the end of one.

Marvin Williams got the Jazz off to a strong start in the 2nd quarter by connecting with a wide-open three ball. Darrell Arthur would answer with another pick-and-pop, reducing the Utah lead to seven. Andre Miller still at an old age can cross you up, as he drove pass the Utah defender with a savvy layup. The Nuggets would turn the ball over two time’s in-a-row, as Anthony Randolph committed the offensive foul, and the pass to Hickson went off of his hands.

This team has been very sloppy early on in the season; they will need to make better decisions if they want to be in contention. Next Nuggets possession, Nate Robinson penetrated the defense and kicked to Anthony Randolph in the corner for three, cutting the Utah lead to four. Ander Miller would score Denver’s next four points on a jumper, and two free throws, trailing Utah by two points. J.J. Hickson would slam all over Marvin Williams, which should be seen ESPN’s SportsCenter Top-10 Plays. Marvin Williams would make up for the poster by drilling a wide open three, putting the Jazz up 40-37. Mozgov on the next possession was untouched with an easy layup, trailing by one. Randy Foye with a spectacular pump fake as Gordon Hayward flew past him, as he stepped in for the easy two. Nuggets would end the 2nd leading 46-45 at halftime.

Kenneth Faried started the 3rd quarter with a floater, putting Denver up 48-45. The momentum seemed to be going the Nuggets way as Ty Lawson found Randy Foye for the stop and pop three, giving them at six point lead. Utah clawed back, as Kanter outmuscled the Nuggets, getting an offensive rebound and putting it in the hoop. After a Darrell Arthur jumper, Gordon Hayward answered with a three, trailing Denver 61-59. An exciting play as J.J. Hickson recorded a block, leading to an Anthony Randolph wide open slam.

Ty Lawson was a leader out there tonight, finding Evan Fournier for the wide open three, giving Denver the six point lead. Derek Favors keep Utah in the ball game with an and one, making the free throw, trailing the Nuggets 68-66. Evan Fournier was fouled at the end of the quarter, cashing in both free throws to give Denver the 70-68 lead, heading into the fourth quarter.

Timofey Mozgov faked out rookie center Rudy Gobert, who the Nuggets originally drafted, as he was fouled and made both free throws, giving Denver a four point lead. Mozgov was very sloppy defensively however, picking up two quick fouls in the 4th, forced to sit on the bench as Hickson subbed in for him. Alec Burks, former CU Buff, gave the Jazz as spark as he went to the hole and finished with the and one, Denver leading by one point. Faried’s offensive game seems to be improving, as he knocked down a lefty hook, pushing the Nuggets lead to 75-73. Andre Miller was left alone at the top of the key for a wide open three ball and cashed it in. J.J. Hickson recorded an offensive rebound and found Faried for the easy slam, all the momentum was shifting towards Denver.

And on Back-to-back possessions, Foye and Miller each connected with a jumper, putting Denver up 84-76. Andre Miller was big for Denver in the fourth quarter; as he scored nine of his fifteen points. Untimely turnovers and missed shots took Utah out of the game, as Ty Lawson sealed the deal with two free throws, outscoring the Jazz 30-13 in the fourth quarter. Nuggets came away with the victory, 100-81.

Ty Lawson recorded a double-double, as he led the Nuggets with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Kenneth Faried also finished with a double-double, as he recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Nuggets out-rebounded the Utah Jazz 52-35.
Nuggets continue to improve on free-throws, as they shot 23-for-27 (85.2%) as a team.
Nuggets expect to have Wilson Chandler back in the starting line-up Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

What’s Up Next: The Denver Nuggets (2-4) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (3-5) Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, tip-off at 7:00.