One troubling development during the Nuggets’ collapse in a 106-96 season-opening loss at the Utah Jazz was the disappearance of standout center Nikola Jokic, who flirted with a triple-double but did not score in the second half.
The Jazz often went small, with the 6-foot-7 Joe Johnson guarding the 6-10 Jokic. Malone was disappointed by three consecutive possessions in which Jockic posted up but did not score, missing a shot on the left block and committing two turnovers.
But that won’t stop the Nuggets from feeding their big man down the stretch, particularly when he has the size advantage.