NBA Game of the Week: Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets
For the third time this season and the second time this week, the Memphis Grizzlies have a matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
The first battle occurred back on Dec. 20 in the Mile High City. Where a Nikola Jokić-led Nuggets would surge to victory against the Ja Morant-led Grizzlies. The final reading 105-91.
The most recent matchup last Saturday saw Memphis on their home hardwood soundly defeating Denver with a 112-94 final.
Morant would lead the floor with 23 points paired with seven rebounds and four assists. Tyus Jones was also a nice bench boost with 17 points.
The reigning MVP Jokić posted a double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. Jeff Green would put up 12 points off the bench.
The Grizzlies’ transition defense was exceptional; holding the Nuggets to a season-low 94 points. Denver would only shoot 38% from the field in the first half and convert 3 of 16 3-pointers. Yikes. The ball was also turned over ten times by the Nuggets. Double yikes.
Memphis would end up making 56% from the floor in the first half and splashing nine 3-point shots. Helping the Grizzlies roll towards a 66-42 lead at the half.
Memphis’ momentum would continue on into the second half, and a commanding deficit that continued to swell led to Denver sitting their starters in the final quarter.
With both teams taking a game from each other this season, this weekend’s matchup will be vital.
The Nuggets have the opportunity to expand their lead in the Western Conference, and the Grizzlies are seeking to pull one game closer for some applied pressure.
After struggling from late January into early February, Memphis rides into Denver with a three-game winning streak. The Grizzlies currently sit at a 38-23 record and would be four games behind the Nuggets for the conference lead with a win.
Denver is 44-19 on the season with 12 of those losses coming against fellow Western Conference opponents. Jokić is impressive with 24.6 points per game and a nice 11.7 rebounds paired with that.
Players that are questionable to play include Steven Adams for Memphis and Collin Gillespie for Denver.
A glaring stat line for the Grizzlies is that they have struggled on the road lately. Winning only one of their last five away contests. The defeats came against the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves. That win being the Houston Rockets.
For the Nuggets, they have been exceptional at their home of Ball Arena with a six-game winning streak.
A 28-4 season record in front of the home crowd has proved how tough of an environment Denver is to play in, which will leave a tough assignment for Memphis.
With both squads holding some winning momentum under their belts, expect to witness one of the closest matchups we’ve seen between these teams as of late.
Morant alongside Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. facing off against Jokić and his teammates Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon should leave us with the NBA game of the week.
Jake Irwin is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jpi5089@psu.edu.
