This is going to be a great series, probably the best first round matchup of the playoffs. The Jazz are a little banged up and that could come into play as the Nuggets seem to have everyone ready to go. Here is a closer look at the matchups in this series:
Point Guard: Deron Williams is one of the very best point guards in all of basketball. He played in 76 games (all starts) for the Jazz this year and he averaged 36.9 minutes, 18.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Williams is a master at getting his teammates easy shots on the pick and roll.
Chauncey Billups is a battle tested big game player. He played in 73 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season and he averaged 34.1 minutes, 19.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Billups is an outstanding shooter who doesn’t shy away from taking the big shot at the end of games.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR JAZZ
Shooting Guard: This is the position where the kids play for both teams. Wesley Matthews was a undrafted free agent last summer and he turned into the starting shooting guard in no time. Matthews played in 82 games (48 starts) in which he averaged 24.7 minutes, 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He can pile in the points when needed.
Arron Afflalo really stepped up when given the chance for the Nuggets after spending a lot of time on the bench in Detroit in his first couple of years. He played in 82 games (75 starts) for the Nuggets this season and he averaged 27.2 minutes, 8.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
EDGE: EVEN
Small Forward: With Andrei Kirilenko out for this series it will be up to C.J. Miles to step up. Miles played in 63 games (28 starts) for the Jazz this year and he averaged 23.8 minutes, 9.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The most important thing the Jazz want Miles to do is play tough on D against Carmelo Anthony.
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best offensive players on the planet. He played in 69 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this year and he averaged 38.2 minutes, 28.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He should be able to score a lot of points in this series especially if Miles doesn’t get help on D.
EDGE: HUGE FOR NUGGETS
Power Forward: Carlos Boozer is a game time decision but I think he will give it a go for game #1. If he can’t go Paul Millsap will start at PF. Boozer played in 78 games (all starts) for the Jazz this season and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 19.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is a elite player when healthy.
Kenyon Martin has had a lot of success against the Jazz this season and he will see if it carries into the playoffs or not. Martin played in 58 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season and he averaged 34.2 minutes, 11.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game. He brings a nasty attitude to the Nuggets and he plays all out, all of the time.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR JAZZ
Center: Mehmet Okur is back for the Jazz. He will try to take Nene’ away from the basket but shooting a lot outside which will open the paint for Boozer & Millsap. Okur played in 73 games (all starts) for the Jazz this year and he averaged 29.4 minutes, 13.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. He is a big key for the Jazz in this series.
Nene’ Hilario has really turned himself into a good center. He played in 82 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season and he averaged 33.6 minutes, 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. He will try to bully Okur in the paint in this series.
EDGE: EVEN
BENCH: The Jazz are going to have a tight bench in this series likely only giving Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Price a lot of minutes. Millsap is by far the best player of this bunch as he can play C, PF or SF. He played in 82 games (8 starts) for the Jazz this year and he averaged 27.8 minutes, 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Kyle Korver is a flat out shooter for the Jazz as he set an all-time NBA record by hitting 53.6% of his three point attempts. Ronnie Price will give Deron Williams and Wes Matthews a breather when they need one.
The Nuggets got some good weapons on the bench with J.R. Smith, Ty Lawson and Chris “The Birdman” Andersen. Smith comes off the bench shooting the ball. He played in 75 games (0 starts) for the Nuggets this year and he averaged 27.7 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ty Lawson will give Billups a break when he needs a blow. He played in 65 games (8 starts) as a rookie this year and he averaged 20.2 minutes, 8.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The Birdman really brings a lot of energy to the court. He played in 76 games (0 starts) for the Nuggets this year and he averaged 22.3 minutes, 5.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Joey Graham and Johan Petro can also help out if the Nuggets want to go that deep on the bench.
EDGE: NUGGETS
COACH: Adrian Dantley is stepping in for George Karl who is still battling cancer. He has done a good job coaching the Nuggets and he has more talent then the Jazz do. It will be interesting to see how well be matches up against crusty old timer Jerry Sloan of the Jazz.
Jerry Sloan is one of the best coaches in NBA history despite never winning a championship. He led the Jazz to a 53-29 record (64.6%) during the regular season. He has a 1,096-659 (62.5%) record during the regular season in his time with the Utah Jazz. He also has a 92-94 (49.5%) record in his post season career.
EDGE: JAZZ
PREDICTION: I think these are two pretty evenly matched teams with the Jazz having the edge on the bench (Jerry Sloan). Still, I think the Nuggets are going to win this series in 7 games for head coach George Karl.
