A win is a win, but is it?
Some wins, the oft-philosophizing George Karl said Saturday, provide a prolonged, infectious confidence shift — “There’s a little more depth to the performance that’s necessary to be successful.”
So, yeah, beating good Boston counts as much as beating bad Charlotte, but a quality win can transform, while an easy win can be transparent.
The Nuggets will find out much about themselves tonight in a battle against visiting Utah, a good team that annually gives them problems. And Utah is in the Nuggets’ division. As Karl told his sweat-drenched troops after Saturday’s practice: “In the second half of the season, there’s always 10 or 15 big games. That starts tomorrow.”
Denver has played Utah once this season and lost. In the three previous seasons, Denver went 3-9 vs. Utah. Of course, the Nuggets sit atop the Northwest Division today, but Utah and Portland are both yipping and nipping.
After tonight, Denver will play the Jazz two more times: at Utah on March 6 and in Denver on April 2. The Nuggets have split so far with Portland, with the two meeting again at the Pepsi Center on March 5 and at the Rose Garden on April 15, Denver’s last game of the season. A tiebreaker could very well come into play, meaning, yeah, a win against these teams isn’t just a win.
Speaking of tonight’s matchup, Carmelo Anthony said, “It’s a statement game,” which is a statement in itself, because of the fact that Anthony isn’t even playing. Anthony has a broken hand but has had his spirit broken enough by Utah to know it’s a big game.
“I have no problem calling it a big game,” Karl said. “Anytime we play Utah — exhibition season or regular season — you’re a little more energized. I think we all know that they’re going to be very much a contender for the Northwest Division, and our goal is to win the division.”
Tonight, the Nuggets will face a fierce, blue-collar team, even without its fiercest player, injured post Carlos Boozer. The Jazz, per usual, will still bang and bump all night, and on offense, sneak under defenders for easy layups. Denver, a defensive-minded team, cannot afford mental slips against a Jerry Sloan-coached team.
The Nuggets have had four days off since their last game — remember that one? — the home win against Sacramento. They watched film of the season-opening loss to Utah because they will implement some of the same defenses tonight. As for the offensive tape, throw it out, Karl said, because Denver is a different offense now with Chauncey Billups at the helm.
Looking ahead, the Jazz might have the toughest schedule in the three-horse race. It plays 22 teams with winning records, 16 with losing records. Curiously, both Denver and Portland play 18 teams with winning records and 21 with losing records.
“There’s all types of formulas that say we’re in a good place, and there’s some that say that we’re not,” Karl said. “I just think so far this year, when the window of opportunity has opened up, we’ve usually gone through it in a pretty good way.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Utah at Denver
6 p.m. tonight, ALT, KCKK 1510 AM
Spotlight on Mehmet Okur: Okur is one of the more difficult players to cover in the NBA because he’s a 6-foot-11 center who likes to roam on the perimeter. He averages 17.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds, and his squad is 17-5 when he scores 15 or more points. And he’s clutch. Said Nuggets coach George Karl, “Okur doesn’t seem like he misses a fourth-quarter shot.”
Nuggets notes: Guard Dahntay Jones (separated shoulder) will play tonight after speculation that he wouldn’t return for another week. He participated in Saturday’s practice and will start against Utah, defending guard Deron Williams. “I think he’ll play just like he always does, with courage and abandon,” Karl said. . . . Carmelo Anthony began shooting and dribbling but won’t get X-rays until midweek. He is still aiming for Friday’s game against Charlotte as his return. Said Anthony: “It’s starting to feel good every day. After I get treatment, it kind of hurts a little bit, but I’m surprised I was able to shoot 3s like I did today. . . . I’ve done a great job of staying in shape, doing what I’ve got to do, running on the court. I think I’ll come back in better shape than I was in.” . . . In his last four games, Linas Kleiza has averaged 20 points. . . . Chauncey Billups is seventh in the NBA with a 90.9 free-throw percentage.
Jazz notes: Williams’ 9.9 assists per game is second in the NBA. . . . The Jazz has won five of its last eight games in Denver, dating to 2004-05. . . . Denver’s Nene leads the NBA with a 60.1 field-goal percentage, and Utah’s Paul Millsap is seventh with 55.8. Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
