Denver coach Mike Malone knows what to expect when the Nuggets face the Memphis Grizzlies. But do his players understand the level of physicality required?
Malone will have another opportunity to impart this wisdom on Tuesday when the visiting Nuggets play the Grizzlies for the second time in three days, this time in an NBA Cup game. Host Memphis defeated Denver 105-90 on Sunday.
The Grizzlies used their physicality to pull away from the Nuggets on Sunday. Memphis led by 12 at halftime and outrebounded Denver through the first two quarters.
In the third quarter, the Grizzlies extended their lead to 22 points. Denver was without three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic for the second consecutive game due to personal reasons, allowing Memphis to score 52 points in the paint and outrebound Denver 45-39.
Despite this, the Nuggets managed to rally in the fourth quarter and cut the Memphis lead to 11 points with four minutes remaining. Early in the final period, the Grizzlies led 94-70, marking the Nuggets’ largest deficit of the season.
Denver’s Julian Strawther led the team with 19 points off the bench, while Dario Saric contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in Jokic’s absence. Jokic’s status for Tuesday’s game remains uncertain.
The Grizzlies have been without star guard Ja Morant since November 6, when he suffered a right hip injury in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Rookie big man Zach Edey, Memphis’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, may also be unavailable due to a left ankle injury sustained in Sunday’s game.
The injury situation, which included starter Marcus Smart being sidelined by illness on Sunday, has forced Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins to rely on the team’s depth to remain above .500. The Grizzlies have won four of their past six games.
Desmond Bane returned to the lineup on Friday at Golden State as a reserve after missing seven games with a strained right oblique. He started Sunday against Denver and recorded his fifth career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with seven assists.
