Ballin': Do Not Adjust Your Standings - the Utah Jazz are 8-4

Utah 106, Denver 96: I nearly saw this coming. I was all set to pull the trigger on the Jazz – no way the Nuggets were going to show up after that rousing win over Miami – but then I saw Denver was at home. I figured Utah had no shot. But Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap combined for 44 points and 24 rebounds and the Jazz improved to 8-4 (!). You’ll read plenty about old teams like the Mavericks, Celtics and Lakers struggling this year … what about young teams having the legs to handle the condensed schedule? In their 10-man rotation, the Jazz only have two players over 30. This man dunking here … 40 … green jersey … “time to put him in the dunk contest?” … Shawn Kemp?

Golden State 99, Detroit 91: Every Warriors’ player that scored except for Dorrell Wright shot 50 percent or better from the field, and Stephen Curry-less Golden State improved to 4-8. Wright, one of the streakiest chuckers in the NBA, shot 3-of-13. Detroit center Greg Monroe (25 points, eight rebounds) had another strong game. The 2nd year center from Georgetown is averaging 16-9 in just 31 minutes, and his field goal shooting (57 percent) and assists (3 apg) are up, too. Give him 35 minutes a night (and a capable power forward) and he could be a 20-10 guy next year.

Phoenix 91, San Antonio 102: Ageless Tim Duncan tallied 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Spurs are 9-0 at home. For a bunch of old cats missing perhaps their best overall player (Ginobili), 9-4 isn’t bad at all.