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Denver Nuggets are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, as they wrap up a four-game road trip tonight against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.
Denver is one game ahead of Golden State for the final postseason berth in the West, and has three games remaining in the regular season. It can capture a playoff berth with a victory tonight, coupled with a Golden State loss versus the Clippers.
The Nuggets have won two straight and improved to 2-1 on the swing following Thursday's 114-105 victory over the Warriors at ORACLE Arena. They captured the tiebreaker over Golden State after the triumph.
Allen Iverson poured in 33 points and handed out nine assists, as Denver pushed its road mark to 17-23 in 2007-08. Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while J.R. Smith netted 24 points off the bench.
After Saturday's game in Utah, the Nuggets will return home to host Houston and Memphis to close out the regular-season schedule. Denver forward Nene (groin) is questionable against the Jazz.
Utah will try to get back on the winning track when it opens a two-game homestand tonight versus Denver and Houston. It has won six in a row in Salt Lake City, and owns an impressive 35-4 record at home this season.
The Northwest Division-champion Jazz had a four-game winning streak stopped with Thursday's 97-94 setback to the Dallas Mavericks, as Mehmet Okur led Utah with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Deron Williams finished with 18 points and 12 assists in a losing effort.
The fourth-seeded Jazz will visit San Antonio on April 16 before the playoffs begin.
Saturday's showdown between Denver and Utah is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. The Jazz have won two straight and lead the season series by a 2-1 margin.
Denver has lost six of its last eight on the road in this series.