To say that tonights game against the Nuggets is the biggest game of the year so far is an understatement. While the Jazz have ruled the division through the first half of the year, Denver is currently only two games behind the Jazz in the loss column, making this race much closer than anyone with the Jazz would like to admit. No question that each team will be ultra motivated to make a statement.

At first glance, this game looks like it may be a loss for the Jazz. They are really up and down right now, going 5-5 in their last 10. Even worse, they have lost 3 or 4 at the ESA and struggle against teams that have elite scorers.

Meanwhile the Nuggets are playing their best basketball of the season winning five in a row, and feature not one, but two elite scorers. No question that the Jazz have their hands full with this team.

With that in mind, there are many reasons why the Jazz will win this game and it all starts with Williams to Memot. The Nuggets have no answer for these guys. They can put Camby on Boozer, but they have no one to guard Memo, and Williams just ran circles around them the last time they played. And, for one reason or another, Jerry Sloan coached teams have historically fared pretty well against Iverson.

Motivation for the Jazz is key. Are they going to come out ready to make a statement? Or are they going to come out starting slow and allowing the game to come down to the forth quarter as they are apt to do.

Ultimately this game will come down to whether or not JR Smith and Steve Blake get hot from the 3-point line. If they do, it will go down to the wire with a lucky bounce here and there determining the game. If not, I think the Jazz win this one pretty easily.