Denver Nuggets Team Report - March 28

(Basketball News) - The Denver Nuggets’ playof hopes took a hit on Saturday, as they were dealt a heart-breaking 85-83 loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center.

Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Nuggets, who lost on the road for the fifth straight contest and slipped a game back of the Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Denver, which is trying to become the first team in NBA history to reach the postseason after winning less than 20 games the previous year, also fell a half-game back of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nene’s jumper in the lane capped an 8-0 spurt by the Nuggets to knot the game at 83 apiece with two minutes to go.

Both teams failed to make a basket until the game’s final possession, as Carlos Arroyo drove the lane for a game-winning shot. Andre Miller reached in and fouled Arroyo with a second remaining before he could get an attempt off.

The Jazz point guard then caught Raja Bell’s inbounds pass and turned to hit a leaner from 10-feet out as the buzzer sounded to grab the win for Utah.

On the injury front, Voshon Lenard missed the contest with bruised ribs and is unsure if he will be able to return on Tuesday when the Nuggets return to action against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Denver, which will open a brief two-game homestand on Tuesday, has lost six of seven and 10 of its last 12 on the road and is 13-25 away from home this season.