The Denver Nuggets earn a nationally televised win over the Memphis Grizzlies 113-97. Denver was led by another triple-double from Nikola Jokić, 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 his. Denver started the game shooting 2-13 from three, but closed the game shooting 6-18 from three in the second half. Denver played a completely different game after halftime, they held the Grizzlies to just 17 points in the 4th quarter.
First quarter:
Jokić wins the tip-off for Denver and scores in the paint for the game’s first basket. Dillion Brooks then steals one of Jokić’s out 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 looming in the paintball. Aaron Gordon and MPJ both reverse their own shots, then Gordon throws a dunk as Jackson Jr assists AG.
Jokić scores 4 consecutive points on free throws and a nice spin post shot, Denver then calls a timeout as the game is tied. Ja Morant knocks down a three and scores a finger roll on the next possession, continuing a 5-0 run on his own. MPJ scores on a dunk and is fouled on the next trip to the field. Reggie Jackson checks the play and immediately steals a pass from Ja Morant in transition. Morant knocks down his second three of the night he scored the last 10 points for the Grizzlies. Jokić takes advantage of Grizzlies play after the shot is made and throws a penny all over the court to Bruce Brown for a layup, Memphis calls timeout after the basket.
Jokić finds a cutting Jeff Green for a grand slam, Uncle Jeff then gets a chase block out of nowhere. The Joker comes out with 28 seconds left in the first, Denver up 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. scores a layup to follow him. The Grizzlies come out and go on a 9-0 run as Jokić sits early in 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 returns to the game, but Denver continues their drought, missing their last 11 shots. Bruce Brown finally ends the drought with an emphatic alley-oop on a fast break, he also scores the next basket for Denver.
Bruce Brown nails Denver’s first three game, they started out shooting 0-11 of three. Jamal Murray scores his first basket of the game late in the 2nd quarter, also setting up the Nuggets second three of the game. The Nuggets are outscored 31-22 in the second quarter and also go 6 minutes scoreless on the field to open the quarter. Denver enters at halftime 58-50.
Third quarter:
Jamal Murray kicks off Denver in the second half with a three-pointer. The Nuggets come out of the break scoring but still struggle to stop the Grizzlies. Denver reduced the deficit to 4 points, but AG received a technical foul after a few calls without appeal. Jamal Murray nails a tricky, faded third corner 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 tie the game as Memphis missed 6 straight shots, Denver went on a 9-2 run. Jokić checks with 2 minutes remaining, Denver down 2 points. Thomas Bryant and Jaren Jackson Jr. fight under the ledge on a few straight possessions, Bryant takes an awkward step and goes down holding his ankle. Jokić commits his 4th foul after checking Bryant. The Nuggets cut the Grizzlies’ deficit to 0 and the two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 80-80.
Fourth trimester:
Aaron Gordon finishes an and-1 to open the 4th quarter, Jamal Murray then knocks down a tough midrange and Denver has its biggest lead of the game, 5 points. The Grizzlies scored their first basket of the quarter almost 2 minutes after the 4th. Jamal Murray starts to warm up, he hits another hard shot and scored the Nuggets’ last 8 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. commits his 4th foul of the game and has to sit down. Jeff Green recovers another block, his 3rd of the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hits a corner three, his first of the game and only his second successful shot of the game. Memphis calls timeout after KCP’s three, they are now down 10 points. Jokić lands his 10th assist of the night on a Jamal Murray three, Denver crosses the 100-point threshold as the Grizzlies still sit at 86. Denver turns up the heat and continues on a 13-0 run, led by a 4 -point play by Michael Porter Jr. Jokić and Dillion Brooks get on it and they are both rewarded with techs, Brooks now has 16 techs this season and will be suspended for the Grizzlies’ next game. Denver outclassed Memphis 27-6 just over halfway through the 4th quarter. Both teams empty their benches 2 minutes from the end, the match ends 113-97. Denver is holding a Munder.
And after?
The Denver Nuggets will face the Toronto Raptors in Denver on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. (MST).
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