Both teams enter the contest with a 32-15 record this season, and both teams rank inside the top-twelve in defensive rating.
Defensively speaking, the Nuggets predicate themselves with effort on that side of the floor, something that allowed them to finish tenth in the NBA in defensive rating last season. The Jazz on the other hand, heavily rely on their two-time Defensive Player of the Year to shut down opponents.
Rudy Gobert is currently tied for fourth in the NBA in blocks per game at 2.0 per contest, he has made the All-Defensive First Team three times, the All-NBA Second Team in 2017, the All-NBA Third Team last year and most importantly, the Nuggets drafted him in 2013.