Nuggets Win 108-104 over Grizzlies Despite Ugly Night in Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies put up a tough fight against the Denver Nuggets, but the Nuggets managed to secure a 108-104 win.

The Memphis Grizzlies proved to be a formidable opponent for the Denver Nuggets in their first road game of the 2023-24 season. Despite the absence of their star player, Ja Morant, and injured center Steven Adams, the Grizzlies displayed their gritty, pesky, and frisky style of play that made them a pain to deal with.

Throughout the game, the Grizzlies kept the pace hectic and effectively limited the impact of Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets' star player. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart, both former Defensive Players of the Year, constantly nagged at Jokic off-ball, making it difficult for him to find his rhythm.

With just over six minutes remaining in the game, Jokic was caught off guard and stripped of the ball by Derrick Rose, resulting in his eighth turnover of the night. The Grizzlies capitalized on this opportunity with a fast-break layup, cutting the Nuggets' lead to 95-93 and forcing a timeout from Nuggets coach Michael Malone. Shortly after, Smart's 15-footer gave the Grizzlies a 98-97 lead, despite the Nuggets leading for most of the game.

However, even on his off nights, Jokic has a knack for making a difference in winning ways. He and Jamal Murray responded with consecutive 3-pointers, giving the Nuggets a 103-98 lead with three minutes left on the clock. The Nuggets held onto this lead until the end, securing a 108-104 victory. Jokic finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and nine turnovers, while Murray contributed 22 points, with 16 of them coming in the first half. A highlight of the game was Jokic's impressive inbound alley-oop pass to Aaron Gordon, reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes' style of play.

The Nuggets struggled to contain Jaren Jackson Jr., who had an impressive performance with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. However, Zeke Nnaji rose to the challenge, making several high-effort plays throughout the game, particularly in the fourth quarter. One notable play was when Nnaji tipped a difficult offensive rebound to Christian Braun, who quickly found Nnaji in the low post for a score.

In a departure from the strategy employed in their previous game, Nuggets coach Michael Malone opted to have either Jokic or Murray on the court at all times. This decision was influenced by the lackluster production of the Nuggets' bench in the first half compared to the starters. At one point in the second quarter, the Nuggets fielded a lineup consisting of Jackson, Braun, Julian Strawther (who was making his NBA debut), Peyton Watson, and Nnaji. This lineup proved to be effective, as the bench contributed 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting by halftime, while the starters struggled with their shooting.

Overall, the Nuggets faced a tough challenge from the Memphis Grizzlies but managed to overcome their opponents' relentless style of play and their own sloppiness to secure a hard-fought victory. The game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with standout performances from players like Jokic, Murray, Jackson, and Nnaji.