Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and pulled down 20 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz advanced to the second round of the playoffs by pulling away for a 112-104 Game 6 victory over the Denver Nuggets to complete their Western Conference quarterfinal series at EnergySolutions Arena.
Game 6, In Progress: Nuggets Fight For Playoff Lives Vs. Jazz
Foul trouble and injuries played a significant role in the series-clinching win, a game in which rookie Wesley Matthews stepped up and scored 23 points for the Jazz, who shot 34-of-51 from the foul line.
Deron Williams was held to 14 points and 10 assists, while Paul Millsap tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in the victory.
Utah will next face the defending NBA champion Lakers, who closed out their first-round series against Oklahoma City with a thrilling 95-94 Game 6 win on Friday. The series, which is the third between the teams in as many years, will start on Sunday afternoon.
Chauncey Billups scored 30 points and handed out eight assists for the Nuggets, but had his streak of seven straight conference finals appearances snapped with the early exit.
Carmelo Anthony ended with 20 points on 6-of-22 shooting to go with 12 rebounds for Denver, which was without starting center Nene (knee), but got 21 surprising points from Joey Graham to stay close.
Nonetheless, Denver made a first-round exit for the sixth time in seven years.
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