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The Nuggets opened their break after the All-Star vs. the Memphis Grizzlies who turned into a real nail biter. In the end, Denver came strong and held on for the one-point win. Nikola Jokic led the way with a solid 28 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists while Michael Porter Jr. and Will Barton scored 21 points each.
For the Grizzlies, actors Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke have kept the fort going. Each had 20 points, while star Ja Morant only had 16 in a quiet effort.
MPJ had a phenomenal first quarter with 9 points and 5 rebounds in the frame. Sadly, the rest of the Nuggets (aside from Jokic) struggled, and more so when the subs started arriving. It was the story of the first half – the good starters, the bench mostly bad. At one point, Jokic missed what would have been a sick tomahawk dunk, but otherwise had a solid first half with 17-7-3 in intermission, but Denver trailed 55-53.
Nuggets fans all over the world suffered a heart attack when, within the first 30 seconds of the third quarter, Jokic pinched his ankle and limped off the field. They also had a deep sigh of relief when a few minutes later he was back on the floor and looking just as good. His return helped stave off the Grizzlies’ efforts to pull out, and the Nuggets quickly regained the upper hand. Denver ended up winning the third by 12 points, although it would have been more if they hadn’t let Memphis have a strong run to finish the quarter.
The first parts of the fourth quarter were a brickfest by the two bench units. Once the starters returned to Denver, they built on his lead, but Dillon Brooks’ back-to-back lines kept Memphis close at hand. The two teams traded baskets for a while and in the final 30 seconds Denver held a four point lead thanks to Jokic, until Desmond Bane hit a wide open three on the timeout. In Denver’s penultimate possession, Jokic took him to Valenciunas but had his float blocked by Brandon Clarke, leaving Memphis just enough time to run an ATO for a chance to win.
Ja Morant received the pass and led against Jokic, who came straight up even as Morant fell to the ground. Rodney Mott raised his hand and it looked like the Nuggets were going to suffer the same fate they did against Washington when Bradley Beal won the game with free throws as time ran out … but no whistle until what Dillon Brooks come and hit Jokic! Foul on Memphis, game over. Mott was probably indicating verticality on Jokic, but it was still a very weird ending.
Overall a solid W for the Nuggets. Jokic continued his MVP campaign, MPJ looked good on both sides of the pitch and Will Barton seems to have regained some confidence. The only real downside was Jamal Murray’s play, which was pretty awful. Murray only shot 1-14 and with three points he broke his 12-game streak by over 20 points. It was a shame his shot didn’t fall, but he will have plenty of time to catch up, starting tomorrow against Dallas.
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