‘Rising Up?’ (Garrett Ellwood - NBAE/Getty Images)

The Jazz started the season winning 13 of their first 18 games. They have won 6 of their last 7 games. But thanks to a disastrous stretch of games that lasted virtually the entire month of December, the Jazz go into Denver trying get back into the playoff picture. Trying to climb back into relevance.

If the Playoffs started today.
Team GB
1. LA Lakers –
2. San Antonio 0.5
3. Dallas 0.5
4. Portland 3.5
5. New Orleans 0.5
6. Phoenix 0.5
7. Denver 4.0
8. Golden State 4.5
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9. Utah 5.0
10. Houston 7.0

Big games are usually reserved for the end of the year. At least until after the All-Star game. But when you are a struggling team trying to catch the competition – things change. This game is huge for the Jazz for several reasons.

First – Denver is a rival. Both geographically and within the division. These teams have won the Division Title the last few years and will continue to knock heads and battle for years to come. When one team is down and the other dominates – there is never a lot of emotion. The success that these two teams have had lately bring this game plenty of “playoff emotion.” To be at the top, you have to beat your rivals.

Second – Playoff implications. It’s early. It’s real early. The playoffs are a long way away. But the playoffs are the goal for each of these teams and with a group of teams including Utah and Denver so close to one and other in the standings – games like this could come back to help you or to help bury you.

Third – Sustaining momentum. The Jazz have been fantastic at home thus far. On the other side of the scale they have been awful on the road. The Jazz have momentum from sweeping a four game home stand, but for them to make a viable run – they have to prove they can sustain momentum on the road. Beating a good team in your division on the road can go a long way toward that cause.