Denver Nuggets Team Report - February 8

(Basketball News) - The Denver Nuggets try to improve to 5-1 under new head coach George Karl, as they welcome the disappointing Utah Jazz tonight to the Pepsi Center.

This is the third meeting of the season between the clubs. In the two previous contests, the Jazz picked up a pair of victories, winning once at the Delta Center and once on the road. The teams will play once more in the 2004-05 campaign, as Utah will host the Nuggets on March 30th.

Utah has won three straight and seven of its last 10 against the Nuggets. The Jazz have won three of five and five of their last eight at Denver.

Kenyon Martin poured in a game-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Denver routed the Golden State Warriors, 107-91, on Saturday at the Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony netted 18, while Nene chipped in 16 points off the bench for the Nuggets, who are 6-4 in their last 10 contests.

Earl Boykins had a game-high 10 assists in the win over Golden State, while Rodney White and Greg Buckner finished with 10 points apiece.

Martin has played well since Karl took over the team on January 27th. He has scored in double-digits in all five games with Karl as the coach, and is averaging 20.4 points and seven rebounds in that span.

The Nuggets are 14-9 as the host this season. After tonight’s game, Denver will embark on a five-game road trip, as they will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats on the swing.

Denver opens its road swing on Wednesday against Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves. The Nuggets are 1-1 against Minnesota this season.

On Friday, the Nuggets will visit LeBron James and the Cavaliers and will then travel to New Jersey to take on Vince Carter and the Nets. Denver is 1-0 against New Jersey and 0-1 against Cleveland. Denver will be facing the Cavs and Nets for the final time in the 2004-05 campaign.