As they did at the season opener against the Pelicans, the Grizzlies deny the Nuggets access to the basket. The barbed wire is installed and the defending champions struggle to score near the circle. Neither team can find the target at 3 points, especially not Desmond Bane who continues to fire from afar, without success.
Five points from Jamal Murray give some breathing room. He and his teammates dominate the debates, especially because Denver’s defense is also in a good place. The proof on the last possession of the first quarter, where Derrick Rose was blocked twice in a row by Peyton Watson (18-25). Jaren Jackson Jr. finally shows up in the second quarter, but with an effective bench, the Nuggets keep control of the game at the break (56-61).
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray dominate money time
In the second half, the Grizzlies stay in contact thanks to the duo Marcus Smart – Jaren Jackson Jr. The first, who had a big game, steals a ball from the hands of Nikola Jokic and goes to score an easy layup, when the second hits 3 points. Both carry Memphis, but the Nuggets still have an answer to match. The gap does not change much before the start of the last quarter (79-88).
Taylor Jenkins’ players accelerate with a 6-0 and the match looks more and more like a fight. The return to school and Nikola Jokic’s baskets feel good.
Desmond Bane stood out with a first prize-winning basket and on a basket from Derrick Rose, the Grizzlies took the lead. It was only short-lived as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each scored 3-pointers and killed the match. The Grizzlies shook up the reigning champions, but it was still a victory for the Nuggets (104-108) in a meeting that was sometimes messy but intense and physical.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A trench battle. 17 lost balls on the Denver side, 20 in Memphis. The Grizzlies stole 13 balls and blocked 7 shots. The Nuggets intercepted 11 possessions and rejected 10 shots. The numbers confirm what was visible on the floor: a lot of intensity and very active hands. Marcus Smart was perfect in such a match, with his five stolen balls. It was tough, not always spectacular or brilliant, but there was a smell of playoffs in this meeting.
– Desmond Bane, too little, too late. After his 31-point game against the Pelicans, where he was the only real offensive danger, the guard continued in this vein. Except that he didn’t score anything: 15 points at 1/10 at 3-pts. Certainly, his only prize-winning basket arrived in “money time” and he added a basket from mid-distance in the process. But it is too little and above all too late. Its +/- is also negative, with a -8. Throughout the game, he insisted too much behind the arc. Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. would have needed his support and his points to really hurt the Nuggets.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
