1984 First Round vs Nuggets
The 1984 playoff series between the Jazz and Nuggets was a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair won by Utah in five games.
The Jazz–Nuggets rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets. The rivalry dates back to the 1976–77 NBA season, when the Nuggets joined the NBA as a result of the ABA–NBA merger. The rivalry is notable in that it features the only two NBA teams based in the Rocky Mountains.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 1983-84
- Round
- First Round
- Jazz coach
- Frank Layden
- Nuggets coach
- Doug Moe
- Series result
- Denver Nuggets won 2-0 (Best-of-3)
- Key jazz star
- Adrian Dantley
- Arena
- Salt Palace
Lore & Background
In 1984, the two franchises met in their first playoff match-up in the First Round of the Western Conference. With two of the best offenses in the league, the series was a high-scoring affair. The Jazz won Game 1 despite a furious Nuggets' comeback attempt in the fourth quarter in Utah. Game 2 saw Denver tie the series, with three 30-plus-point games from Dan Issel (33 pts), Kiki VanDeWeghe (32), and Alex English (31). Denver carried the momentum over and won a close Game 3. Utah's Adrian Dantley scored 39 points, as the Jazz saved off elimination with a 32 point fourth quarter to move the series back to Utah for the decisive Game 5. Utah won Game 5, 127-111, never trailing after a 41 point first quarter. Utah's Rickey Green played all but four minutes and hauled 16 rebounds and had 29 points. Dantley added 30 points and also had 12 rebounds. Utah would lose in the next round to the Phoenix Suns, ending their first playoff season.
Reader's Guide
The 1984 First Round was a best-of-five series. The Nuggets won 3-2. David Thompson did not play in this series; he was injured and missed the entire 1983-84 season, retiring after the previous season.
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