Nuggets' David Adelman Demands Defensive Fix in Jazz Rematch

The Denver Nuggets are rolling into their second matchup against the Utah Jazz within the past week with a chance at a season series sweep for a second consecutive year, and could make for the 11th win of their past 12 times these two teams have met since 2023.

But before having a chance at claiming a victory over the Jazz once again, Nuggets head coach David Adelman made sure to emphasize the key adjustments he wants made from the last time his group faced Utah; one in which they had to rally back from as large as a 14-point deficit in the second half.

The biggest key adjustment Adelman wants to see? Look for him to place a major emphasis on Denver's defensive consistency and overall physicality.

"I would say our defense has been very inconsistent," Adelman said after Nuggets' practice, via DNVR. "There are a lot of reasons for that. But I do think I'd love to see us have a little more intensity than we did last time we played Utah. I thought we allowed them to back-cut, play free."

"We didn't touch anybody; the physicality wasn't there. And when you do that, you have to have a very special offensive quarter— which we did— to win the game. But it's not good enough. So, I'm looking for a much-better performance."

David Adelman Wants to See Better Defense vs. Jazz

The Nuggets have been trying to catch up on the defensive side all season long, whether it be due to injuries or simple inconsistencies, and games like their latest matchup against Utah show that Denver still has room to grow on that side of the ball.

Despite the Nuggets' offense being ranked atop the league with a number-one offensive rating (120.7), their defensive rating has consistently been stuck towards the lower-third of the league (116.0).

Adelman has seen pockets of solid defensive outings, particularly against the Golden State Warriors, but building on that success is a must for this Nuggets group to reach their full potential.

"I thought Golden State, especially in the second half, and honestly, throughout that game, the attention that was given on that side of the ball is where it needs to be, and I think our guys understand that. So, building on that would be great, and completely forgetting what we did against Utah last time would also be a good thing for our guys."

Mar 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman in the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

As the Jazz are set to be dealing with several injuries to key rotational players like Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson, it should make the road trip a bit easier for the Nuggets to endure, and perhaps a get-right game on the defensive end compared to last go-around.

Being without Spencer Jones due to a hamstring injury will certainly hurt their upside on that side of the floor, but it also gives the rest of the Nuggets' rotation to step up on that side of the ball in his place to bring the desired changes that Adelman covets.

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