Utah's 36-point first quarter was the game. The Jazz led 36-26 after one, and while Denver matched them in each of the next three quarters (26-27, 25-25, 20-21), the Nuggets could never cut into that opening gap.
7 minutes. 2 minutes. Utah's bench was deep: Blake Hinson scored 14 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 11, and Ace Bailey chipped in 10.
Utah shot 15-of-45 from three to Denver's 11-of-39, the clearest edge in the box score. Denver actually won the paint, 40 points to 34, and ran more in transition, scoring 14 fast-break points to Utah's 8.
7 minutes.
Utah outscored Denver 36-26 in the first quarter and never let the lead shrink past single digits again, closing out a 109-97 win at CU Events Center. Lauri Markkanen led four Jazz players in double…