Summary: Nuggets win the game and season series against Memphis

Denver Nuggets win on national television over Memphis Grizzlies 113-97. Denver was led by another Nikola Jokić triple-double, finishing with 18 points (7-10), 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray came alive in the second half, scoring 17 of his 22 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Ja Morant led all scorers with 27 points, but MPJ was right behind him with 26 of their own. Denver started the game shooting 2-13 from three, but closed the game with 6-18 from three in the second half. Denver played a completely different game after halftime, holding the Grizzlies to just 17 points in the 4th quarter.

First Quarter:

Jokić wins the tip for Denver and scores in the paint for the game’s first basket. Dillion Brooks then steals one of Jokić’s outlet passes and Desmond Bane knocks down a three to open things up for Memphis. The Grizzlies start the game with Xavier Tillman guarding Jokić one-on-one, with Jaren Jackson Jr threatening in the paint off-ball. Aaron Gordon and MPJ both knock down shots of their own, then Gordon throws down a dunk as Jackson Jr helps AG out.

Jokić scores 4 straight free throws and a beautiful spin post shot, Denver then calls a timeout as the game is tied. Ja Morant knocks down a three and scores a layup on the next possession, going on a 5-0 run of his own. MPJ scores on a dunk and is fouled on the following trip up the field. Reggie Jackson checks into the play and immediately steals a Ja Morant pass in transition. Morant knocks down his second three of the night, he has scored the last 10 points for the Grizzlies. Jokić takes advantage of the Grizzlies playing up after the made shot and throws a full-court dime to Bruce Brown for a layup, Memphis calls timeout after the basket.

Jokić finds a cutting Jeff Green for a big slam, Uncle Jeff then gets a pursuit block out of nowhere. The Joker checks out with 28 seconds left in the first, Denver up by 2. Brandon Clark makes one of two free throws and Denver leads after one, 28-27.

Second quarter:

Desmond Bane knocks down two free throws to start the quarter and Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring a layup to follow it. The Grizzlies come out on a 9-0 run as Jokić sits at the start of the quarter, Denver calls timeout after giving up an and-1 to Jon Konchar. Reggie Jackson knocks down a free throw for Denver’s first points of the quarter. Jokić checks back into the game, but Denver continues its dry spell, missing its final 11 shots. Bruce Brown finally ends the drought with an emphatic alley-oop on a fast break, he scores the next basket for Denver as well.

Bruce Brown nails Denver’s first three of the game, they started by shooting 0-11 from three. Jamal Murray scores his first basket of the game towards the end of the 2nd quarter, and also records the Nuggets’ second three of the game. The Nuggets are outscored 31-22 in the second quarter and also go 6 minutes without a field goal to open the quarter. Denver goes into halftime down 58-50.

Third quarter:

Jamal Murray kicks off the second half for Denver with a three-pointer. The Nuggets come out of halftime scoring but still have trouble stopping the Grizzlies. Denver closes the deficit to 4 points, but AG picks up a technical foul after some no calls. Jamal Murray nails a tough, fadeaway three to beat the shot clock. The Nuggets go two minutes without scoring before MPJ knocks down a three, MPJ gets an offensive rebound on the next possession.

The Nuggets put the game away when Memphis missed 6 straight shots, and Denver went on a 9-2 run. Jokić checks out with 2 minutes left, Denver down 2 points. Thomas Bryant and Jaren Jackson Jr. battling under the rim on a few straight possessions, Bryant takes a difficult step and goes down with his ankle. Jokić picks up his fourth foul after checking in for Bryant. The Nuggets close the Grizzlies deficit to 0 and both teams enter the fourth quarter tied at 80-80.

Fourth quarter:

Aaron Gordon finishes an and-1 to open the 4th quarter off, Jamal Murray then knocks down a tough midrange and Denver has its biggest lead of the game, 5 points. The Grizzlies score their first basket of the quarter almost 2 minutes into the fourth. Jamal Murray starts to heat up, he hits another tough shot and has scored the Nuggets last 8 points.

Jaren Jackson Jr. takes his fourth foul of the match and has to sit down. Jeff Green picks up another block, his third of the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope nails a three in the corner, his first of the game and only his second shot of the game. Memphis calls timeout after KCP’s three, they are now down 10 points. Jokić picks up his 10th assist of the night on a Jamal Murray three, Denver crosses the 100-point mark with the Grizzlies still sitting at 86. Denver turns up the heat and goes on a 13-0 run, led by 4 points. game by Michael Porter Jr. Jokić and Dillion Brooks get into it and they are both rewarded with techs, Brooks now has 16 technicals this season and will be suspended for the Grizzlies next game. Denver has outscored Memphis 27-6 a little more than halfway through the 4th quarter. Both teams empty their benches with 2 minutes left, the game ends 113-97. Denver holds on to a Munder.

What will be next?

The Denver Nuggets meet the Toronto Raptors in Denver on March 6 at 19:00 (MST).

read more