Jazz 105, Nuggets 103: Al Jefferson had a game-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field as Utah rallied from an early 16-point deficit to remain undefeated at home.
Jefferson scored 17 of those points in the first half and Derrick Favors added 19 off the bench for the Jazz, who have opened their season with six straight home victories for the first time since 2008.
Kenneth Faried had 21 points to lead six players in double figures for the Nuggets, who made 27 of 37 shots from the field in the first half (73 percent).
After Ty Lawson's layup gave Denver a 77-65 lead midway through the third quarter, Randy Foye capped a 14-0 run with a pair of free throws following the ejection of Andre Iguodala. The Nuggets' shooting guard was dismissed after he continued to verbally badger Foye while he was at the foul line.
Favors answered Andre Miller's jumper with a pair of free throws to give Utah a 104-102 lead with 41.5 seconds remaining. Faried split his two free throws on the ensuing possession, but Favors did the same to give Utah the victory.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Nuggets scored a season-high 65 points in the first half. ... The Northwest Division rivals have split their first two meetings this season, with Denver posting a 104-84 home victory over Utah on Nov. 9. Faried recorded a double-double in that contest (18 points, 11 rebounds). ... The Nuggets held a 66-40 advantage in points in the paint.
Denver | Utah | |
Kenneth Faried 21 | Scoring | Al Jefferson 28 |
Ty Lawson 9 | Assists | Jamaal Tinsley 6 |
Kenneth Faried 9 | Rebounds | Derrick Favors 7 |
Kenneth Faried 5 | Free Throws Made | Al Jefferson 8 |
Andre Iguodala 2 | Steals | Randy Foye 2 |
JaVale McGee 2 | Blocks | Derrick Favors 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Denver | 103 | 54.8 | 5-14 | 18-32 | 22 | 38 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
Utah | 105 | 46.2 | 8-22 | 25-34 | 19 | 31 | 6 | 9 | 14 |