Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Preview - Dec. 22 | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Denver Nuggets will host the Utah Jazz at the Ball Arena in Colorado on Monday, with both teams meeting for the first time this season. Coming off losses, both teams will be eager to respond and get back on track.

The Nuggets suffered a 115-101 loss to the Houston Rockets in their previous matchup, while the Utah Jazz fell to a heartbreaking 128-127 overtime loss against the Orlando Magic.

Denver slipped to third in the standings at 20–7, dropping a spot following the defeat, while Utah held on to the 12th seed with a 10–17 record.

The Nuggets have been solid at home with an 8–5 record, meaning the Jazz will need a strong performance to pull off a win after struggling on the road with a 3–8 record.

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Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

Moneyline: Jazz +675, Nuggets -1050

Spread: Jazz +14.5 (-110), Nuggets -14.5 (-110)

Total over/under (o/u): Jazz o246.5 (-115), Nuggets u246.5 (-105)

*Editor's note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off*

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets preview

December has been Utah’s most productive month so far, as the team holds a 4–5 record. However, they head into this matchup after back-to-back home losses, with this contest serving as a lone road trip before returning home for consecutive games.

The Jazz have been one of the league’s most polarizing teams, telling two very different stories at opposite ends of the floor. Offensively, they rank among the NBA’s best, averaging 119.9 ppg, the seventh-highest mark. Defensively, however, they sit at the bottom of the league, conceding 126.8 ppg.

Lauri Markkanen has been their best player this season, averaging 27.8 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Meanwhile, Keyonte George has provided strong support with 24.0 ppg and 6.9 apg.

The Denver Nuggets enter the matchup aiming to respond after seeing their six-game winning streak come to an end last time out. A victory would pull them level with the Spurs in the standings as they continue to chase the OKC Thunder.

Like the Jazz, the Nuggets have leaned on their offense this season and lead the league with 124.7 ppg. Defensively, however, there is room for improvement, as they are allowing 116.1 ppg, which ranks 16th in the NBA.

Unsurprisingly, Nikola Jokic has been their best player this season. The Serb is averaging 29.4 ppg, 12.1 rpg and 10.7 apg, while Jamal Murray has complemented him well as a secondary option with 24.8 ppg and 6.7 apg.

Both sides will be shorthanded heading into the matchup. Denver will be without Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Aaron Gordon, while Utah may have to cope without Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz are also set to miss Kevin Love, Walker Kessler, and Georges Niang.

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets predicted starting fives

Utah Jazz predicted starting five

PG- Keyonte George, SG-Svi Mykhailiuk, SF- Ace Bailey, PF-Kyle Fillipowski, C- Jusuf Nurkic

Denver Nuggets predicted starting five

PG- Jamal Murray, SG- Tim Hardaway Jr., SF- Cameron Johnson, PF- Spencer Jones, C- Nikola Jokic

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets betting tips

Keyonte George is projected to score over 25.5 points following his 27-point outing. He is averaging 24.0 ppg.

Nikola Jokic is expected to score over 30.5 points. He is averaging 29.4 ppg this season.

Jusuf Nurkic is projected to collect over 7.5 rebounds. He is collecting over 9.4 rpg.

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets prediction

The Denver Nuggets are -14.5 favorites on the spread. Despite their last outing ending in defeat, Denver has yet to lose back-to-back games this season and should be well-positioned to secure a comfortable win against a struggling Jazz side.

Prediction: Nuggets to win by 7 points or more.

Edited by Arian Kashyap