It's the first Sunday night home game for the Jazz in more than a decade, and some thought religious concerns might keep many fans at home.
"Our preference would probably not be playing on Sunday, but we have enough support in Utah to pull it off and have a sold-out arena," says Clay Jensen, vice president of ticket sales for the Jazz.
But a Sunday game meant there was a notable absence. Greg Miller, the CEO of the Jazz, did not attend. He's carrying on a Miller family tradition for Sunday night games.
Fans stand in line for tickets to Sunday's playoff game at EnergySolutions Arena.
Fans, however, converged from all over Utah and from points far distant. "I think we're relaxing and enjoying what we like to do," says Nicole Bloxham, who came all the way from Idaho Falls for the game.
It's only when the Jazz make it into the playoffs that Sunday becomes an issue. The Jazz ordinarily avoid Sunday games to avoid creating conflicts for those whose religious beliefs call for more restrained activities on Sunday. NBA schedulers can't accommodate that preference during the playoffs.
So Sunday's showdown with the Denver Nuggets could have been a problem for some fans. Others, though, don't seem to care. Rodney and Trevor Ellis came all the way from Las Vegas to buy tickets for the big game.
"Because I love basketball and I'll see it any day of the week," Trevor says.
Rodney agrees. "I love sports seven days a week, 24-7, so I always make time for the sports," he says. "You gotta enjoy life."
Think about it: the team CEO did not attend the game because it was Sunday. He's not just a fan, he runs the organization. How do we as Christians think through such decisions?
