Denver Nuggets: Ranking potential first-round opponents

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on January 16, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

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Utah Jazz:

Denver’s matchup desirability: 1st

Regular Season Record to date: 2-0

Projected Probability to win series: Denver 80/20

Nikola Jokic vs. team: 29.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists per game

Jamal Murray vs. team: (1 game): 31 points, 4 assists

Biggest Problem Players: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert

This matchup was already favorable for Denver, but now Utah has faced much adversity in recent months, as Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert each contracted Covid-19 and are rumored to be at odds with each other. The Jazz were a strong two-way team the last couple of seasons, but they may have a long road back to this point, unfortunately.

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Nikola Jokic made strides against Gobert this year, completely dominating the fellow All-Star in both matchups before play was suspended. Gobert’s length and athleticism had previously bothered Jokic, but he seems to have solved Gobert, averaging 29.0 points on 58.1 percent shooting against him.

Donovon Mitchell is strong and athletic, but at 6’1″ he’s the player archetype Denver’s stopper Gary Harris thrives against. Mitchell scored just five points on 0-13 shooting the last time Harris guarded him. Nuggets fans will be reminded why Garris makes the big bucks if he can take Mitchell out of the series.

Jamal Murray will have his hands full with savvy veteran Mike Conley, who joined Utah last summer in a splashy acquisition. Conley’s fit with the Jazz is questionable, however, as he’s notching just 13.8 points per contest, an eight-year low.

Denver has exposed Utah in a major way, and the Jazz are currently reeling from off-court issues. Consider this the Nuggets’ most favorable series.

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