NBA Playoffs: Six X-factors for Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz

PJ Dozier

In the same vein as Monte Morris, Denver will be looking to get the most out of the guards on their bench to get an edge during any minutes when any of their stars take a seat. If you are unfamiliar with the work of PJ Dozier, allow this to be a catch-up.

Dozier has only appeared in 37 games over the last three years, 29 of which have come with the Nuggets this season. He was an undrafted free agent that signed a two-way contract in 2017 with the Oklahoma City Thunder and appeared in two games while spending the rest of his time with the Oklahoma City Blue of the G-League. The following season was similar, signing a two-way contract with Boston and mostly playing for Maine Red Claws.

He debuted with the Nuggets in January 2020 and has found a new role in the bubble for a team looking to see what sticks during the seeding games. In 22.3 minutes per game Dozier averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds. Shooting 47.6 percent from long range is not sustainable but it at least shows that he can be a useful shooter off the bench. He has been pretty rough on defense, unsurprising for a raw, young point guard getting his first real opportunity.  He has played his best ball with Morris so if they function as the leaders of the bench they can take advantage of the increasingly thin Jazz backcourt rotation.