Denver at Utah is an intriguing NBA matchup next week

A look at next week’s best NBA game.

DENVER at UTAH: Tuesday at 7 p.m. PDT. TV: ESPN

This is a battle of mutually sympathetic teams who are trying to cope without their injured star players. Utah already took a hit with center Rudy Gobert being out until next month for a knee bone bruise. Now, Denver is dealing with Paul Millsap being out potentially until after the All-Star break for a wrist injury he suffered last weekend against the Lakers. The Nuggets are in a better position in the standings and on the roster to absorb the hit because of Nikola Jokic, the skilled third-year center who broke through last season and is now averaging a double-double. But the length of Millsap’s recovery opens the door for Utah to move into playoff position.