Nuggets-Jazz Preseason Finale: Can This One Stay Under the Lights?

Two nights after the Jazz embarrassed Denver 109-97 in their preseason opener—making our Nuggets moneyline pick look foolish—these squads reconvene in Salt Lake for another October exhibition that nobody will remember by Halloween. The difference? We're pivoting hard to the under 230.5, and the logic is airtight for anyone who's watched preseason basketball this decade.

Jamal Murray remains out for personal reasons, stripping 25-plus points per game from a Nuggets squad already running skeleton crews. Friday's contest was a slog fest that barely cracked 200 combined points, and nothing about Tuesday's rematch suggests offensive fireworks. Starters will log their obligatory 18-25 minutes before yielding to third-stringers auditioning for G-League gigs. Rotations will stretch 15-20 deep with camp bodies who couldn't hit water from a boat.

Both coaching staffs care more about evaluating fringe roster spots than offensive rhythm, which means disjointed possessions and empty trips galore. The Jazz already proved they can stifle this Murray-less Denver attack. Expect another grinder where the final score looks like a Big Ten football game. Lock in the under and thank us when this thing finishes 105-102.