Game 5
Denver NuggetsFriday, 7 p.m.
McNichols Arena
Season Series: Jazz lead 1-0
Radio: KFAN (1320 AM)
TV: Fox Rocky Mountain (cable)
Jazz Record
Home: 1-1 Away: 0-2
Streak: Lost 2 Last 10: 1-3
This time last year: 2-2
The pace (plus/minus): minus 1
Jazz (1-3)
WATCH FOR: The Jazz have a prime opportunity to snap their two-game losing streak - facing a team they beat 102-84 last Saturday...Ostertag had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the earlier meeting...Utah hasn't opened a regular season with a 1-4 record since 1982-83, when the Jazz team went on to finish 30-52...After leading the league in field goal percentage the past three seasons, the Jazz are shooting just .399 thus far.
Probable starters
F Karl Malone (21.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg)
F Bryon Russell (4.8 ppg, 3 rpg)
C Greg Ostertag (7 ppg, 10 rpg)
G Jeff Hornacek (13 ppg, 4.5 apg)
G Howard Eisley (9.8 ppg, 3.8 apg)
Nuggets (0-3)
WATCH FOR: The Nuggets have started three different small forwards while awaiting LaPhonso Ellis' return from the injured list...Stith led Denver with 18 points when the teams met last Saturday in the Delta Center...The Nuggets have lost their last five games against the Jazz...The Nuggets have lost 32 of their last 37 regular season games...Only 8,104 fans attended Tuesday's 120-96 loss at home to Washington.
Probable starters
F Eric Williams (18 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
F Danny Fortson (14.7 ppg, 7 rpg)
C Dean Garrett (5.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
G Bryant Stith (12 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
G Bobby Jackson (19 ppg, 2.3 apg)