Final Score: Jazz 114, Nuggets 111

Another short-handed, lower seeded team in the NBA playoffs, and another unexpected road winner.

The 5-seed Utah Jazz are without 3 of their top 7 scorers and overall players, yet have found a way to stay competitive with the 4-seed Denver Nuggets. On Monday night, Utah jumped out to a big lead, gave it all back in the 4th quarter, but then hung on for the victory, 114-111. The Jazz have now evened the best-of-7 first round playoff series against the Nuggets at 1-1, and come back home for Game 3.

Utah, playing without Andrei Kirilenko, Ronnie Brewer, and Mehmet Okur, found a way to get the tough road win. This comes just 1 night after the short-handed Blazers defeated the Suns on the road to take Game 1 of that series.

Deron Williams was outstanding for Utah. The All-Star point guard had 33 points and 14 assists, both game highs. He made an astonishing 16 of 18 free throws, as he was in attack mode all night. He shot 7 for 14 from the field, including 3 of 4 from three point range.

Carlos Boozer added 20 points and 15 rebounds on a very efficient 10 for 16 shooting night. Boozer dominated the paint area but also hit his outside shots. He was tough to defend in this one.

C.J. Miles stepped up and had a huge game, with 17 points and 6 assists. Paul Millsap did his usual thing off the bench, contributing 18 points and 5 rebounds. Kyle Korver also added 13 off the bench.

The Nuggets, playing without their ill head coach George Karl, hung tough after being down by as many as 14 points in the second half. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 32 points on 9 for 25 shooting, while going an incredible 14 for 15 from the free throw line. He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Nene had 18 points, Kenyon Martin added 15, and Chauncey Billups finished with 17 points and 11 assists. But Denver was unable to get stops when it mattered, and Deron Williams punished the Nuggets all night in both transition and in the half court.

Carmelo Anthony also fouled out with under a minute to play in a 3-point game, when they could have used him for their end of game shots. Instead, the Nuggets went to Billups, who misfired on three point attempts on consecutive possessions with under 30 seconds.

Utah hung on for a 3 point win and must be happy to steal this one on the road from Denver. They now go back home essentially having stolen home court in the series. The Jazz are a phenomenal home team and might have the advantage from here on out.

Despite being short-handed and the lower seed, the Utah Jazz found a way to get the Game 2 victory. And they still have their 2 best players playing at a high level. Deron Williams seems determined to get his team to advance.

We'll see how the Nuggets try to rebound from the shocking home loss. They travel to Utah for Game 3.