The Memphis Grizzlies were defeated by the Denver Nuggets, 105-99, on Monday
night in Pepsi Center. The Grizzlies fall to 15-11 on the season and are now 7-7
on the road. The Nuggets improve to 18-9 on the year.
Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 19 points and handed out six assists.
JaMychal Green logged his second double-double of the season with 13 points and
10 rebounds. Shelvin Mack chipped in with 14 points off the bench. Omri Casspi
scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed six boards.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor in the game, as Memphis made
37-of-74 (.500) field goals and Denver was 39-of-77 (.506). Both teams also
turned the ball over 14 times, but Denver converted those turnovers into 18
points while Memphis had nine. The Memphis bench shot a combined 20-of-31 (.709)
overall to score 51 points. Both teams were effective at the line, with the
Grizzlies making 16-of-17 (.941) free throws and the Nuggets shooting 18-of-23
(.783).
Nikola Jokic registered his 17th double-double of the season with a game-high 27
points and 12 rebounds. Monte Morris scored 20 points (4-5 3P) off the bench.
Jamal Murray had 16 points to go with five assists and four steals. Mason
Plumlee also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The defenses locked in for the fourth quarter, with the Grizzlies going just
5-of-19 (.263) from the floor and the Nuggets shooting 6-of-16 (.375). Denver
used a quick 8-0 run from 6:01 to 4:39 to go up 96-92, a lead they would hold on
to the rest of the way. The Grizzlies shot just 2-for-10 (.200) in the final
five minutes of the game, and scored only 16 points in the final quarter.
The teams traded big runs in the third quarter. Down by eight, Memphis went on a
20-6 run from 10:21 to 5:57 (4:24 span). Denver immediately responded with a
13-2 run over the next 3:06 to help take an 84-83 lead at the end of the period.
Eight of the game’s 15 lead changes occurred during the quarter, as both teams
shot over 60 percent from the field. The Grizzlies assisted on 10 of their 12
baskets during the third.
The first half featured efficient offense, with the Grizzlies shooting 20-for-37
(.541) and the Nuggets going 20-for-41 (.488) from the field. Both teams scored
exactly 26 points in the paint in the half. The Nuggets outrebounded the
Grizzlies 22-13, but Memphis bench outscored Denver’s 33-17. Jokic reached 19
points in the half to help Denver lead 55-50 at the break.
The Grizzlies capitalized on open shots in the first quarter by going 10-of-18
(.556) from the floor, including making their final five shots in the last 2:48
of the period, and four of them coming from MarShon Brooks. The Nuggets were
effective shooting from deep, making 5-of-12 (.417) three-pointers to lead 26-22
at the end of the first. Memphis outscored Denver 14-4 in the paint during the
period.
Memphis carried the strong finish from the first quarter over to the second,
opening the quarter by sinking their first six shots. The Grizzlies made
10-of-19 (.526) shots in the quarter, including 10 points from Mack on 4-of-5
(2-2 3P) shooting. the Nuggets were even better by going 12-of-22 (.545). Denver
outrebounded Memphis 12-4 in the period (5-0 offensive rebounds) to help lead
55-50 at halftime.
The Grizzlies return to Memphis for the first of three home games this week,
hosting the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. CT in
FedExForum. Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial
Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN to follow the action.
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2018-19 Season
Tickets or 10-Game Flex Packs can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going
online to grizzlies.com/tickets. Single Game Tickets are also available for
purchase at the FedExForum Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations,
ticketmaster.com, online at grizzlies.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.
For more information on the Grizzlies, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or
follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).
Download or Update the Official Grizzlies App
Player: Kyle Anderson
Player: MarShon Brooks
Player: Omri Casspi
Player: Mike Conley
Player: Marc Gasol
Player: JaMychal Green
Player: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Player: Shelvin Mack
Player: Joakim Noah
Player: Garrett Temple
Media Content: https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/postgame/den-181210
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Memphis Grizzlies, Kyle Anderson, MarShon Brooks,
Omri Casspi, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, JaMychal Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Shelvin
Mack, Joakim Noah, Garrett Temple, J.B. Bickerstaff, Denver Nuggets, Memphis
Grizzlies
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