After battling back and forth for the Northwest Division title down the final stretch of the NBA regular season, Utah and Denver will meet in the first round of the Western conference playoffs for the first time since 1984. The Jazz conceded the division title with a loss to the Phoenix Suns on the final day of the season, allowing the Nuggets to move up to fourth place and take home court advantage in the opening round. Perhaps this series will provide a true indication of whether or not the Nuggets are the best team in the division, starting with Game One where they can make an immediate impression playing at home.

Utah Jazz @ Denver Nuggets
Saturday April 17, 2010
NBA Playoff Odds Betting Line: Nuggets – 130

After five years of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets seemed poised to finally break through. However, a slew of injuries and the loss of head coach George Karl as he recovers from treatments for cancer have brought those questions that plagued the team earlier this season back to the forefront. Denver tied the Los Angeles Lakers for the best home record in the Western conference this season with a 34-7 mark, and continuing that trend will play a big part in whether they can end the trend of opening round exits. That starts Saturday with Game One where the key to winning will undoubtedly be the team’s ability to distribute the ball. The Nuggets averaged seven more assists per games in wins than they had in losses. Forward Kenyon Martin is expected to play Game One, but just how healthy he is remains a question.

There are similar questions in the Utah locker room as Andrei Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer will not be at 100 percent when Game One tips off. Both are listed as day-to-day and if they are unable to go in the opener that will be a crushing blow to the Jazz lineup. Utah relies on ball movement more than any other team in the association as illustrated by their drawing assists on nearly 68-percent of their baskets, compared to only three other teams that topped the 60-percent mark this season. With two key players out of the lineup, it will become that much more difficult to execute and beat a Nuggets team that took the season series three-games-to-one.

Sports Betting Pick: Nuggets – 130
NBA Sports Book Over/Under Line: O/U – 204

Both of these teams ranked in the top-four in the association in points per game with over 104, and both rely on an up-tempo offense to win, so expect for a high scoring game at the Pepsi Center in Game One. If Kirilenko and Boozer struggle, the Jazz will rely even more on Deron Williams to put up points. Carmelo Anthony raised his game to another level in last year’s opening round, and when you consider the points these teams put up during the regular season, Game One could be more of the same.

Online Betting Pick: Over - 204