DENVER, Nov. 20 (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets set a scoring futility record with their fifth straight game under 80 points in a 96-79 loss to the Utah Jazz, who have won three in a row.

The lowest-scoring team in the NBA, the Nuggets became the first team since the inception of the shot clock in 1954 to be held below 80 points in five straight games. They have lost them all and are off to a 2-9 start.

NBA TV highlights from Nuggets-Jazz: 56k | 300k

"It is our inability to convert off the offensive glass," Denver coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "Until we find a way to put the ball in the basket, we are going to continue to come up short. We moved the ball better tonight, and the spacing was better, but the numbers do not lie. We had 23 offensive rebounds and converted it for only 11 points."

Although they have had a rocky first 11 games, the Nuggets have been able to stay in most contests thanks to a defense that ranked third in the NBA at 84.2 points per game. But the Nuggets have allowed over 90 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Juwan Howard led the Nuggets with 17 points and 13 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Denver was not helped by starting point guard Chris Whitney going on the injured list with a sprained ankle and committed 24 turnovers.

Denver has been held below 20 points in 24 of 44 quarters this season.

"We just have to find some positives and build on it," Denver guard James Posey said. "We cannot keep using youth as an excuse. The things that we are having problems with we practice, but in the heat of battle, guys are not performing."

Karl Malone scored 21 points and John Stockton handed out 11 assists to lead the Jazz, who scored 32 points in the first quarter and went on to author a methodical victory with high-percentage shots. The Jazz shot 59 percent (36-of-61) from the field and attempted only four three-pointers.

Reserve Andrei Kirilenko scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half for Utah, which had five players in double figures and survived a season-high 30 turnovers.

"We count on everybody to contribute," Stockton said. "We're just trying to get the job done. Our young guys are really competing and making themselves available in our offense. It helps matters a lot."

The Nuggets used their ninth starting lineup this season. Forward Rodney White, making his first career start, scored only three points, while rookie Predrag Savovic was Denver's best reserve, collecting 11 points and four assists.

"I thought Savovic gave us some life," Bzdelik said. "That is what we hoped for. He is a Ryan Bowen-type player that can hit the shots."

With Whitney on the injured list, the Nuggets do not have any players over 30 on the active roster.