Key Stat of the Night
- Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 19 points and handed out six assists.
Game Recap
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.
Next Game
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).
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- JaMychal Green tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and one block in 26 minutes for his second double-double of the year ... With his double-double, Green now has the third most double-doubles for the Grizzlies this season, trailing Marc Gasol (11) and Mike Conley (4).
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