The Nuggets opened up their All-Star break against the Memphis Grizzlies, which turned into a lot of nail-biting. Eventually, Denver arrived strong and scored the one-point victory. Nikola Jokic took the lead with a solid 28-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist evening, while both Michael Porter Jr. and Will Barton chopped 21 pieces.
For the Grizzlies, role players Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke kept the fort going. Each had 20 points, while star Ja Morant had just 16 in a quiet effort.
MPJ had a phenomenal first quarter with 9 points and 5 rebounds in the frame. Unfortunately, the rest of the Nuggets (except Jokic) struggled, and all the more so when the subs started coming in. That was the story for the first half – beginners good, bank mostly bad. At one point, Jokic missed a sick tomahawk dunk, but otherwise a solid first half with 17-7-3, but Denver left behind 55-53.
Fans of Nuggets had a heart attack everywhere when Jokic grabbed his ankle in the first 30 seconds of the third quarter and limped off the track. They also had deep sighs of relief when he was back on the floor just a few minutes later and looked just as good. His return helped thwart the Grizzlies’ attempt to pull away, and quickly the Nuggets were back on top. In the end, Denver won the third by 12 points, even if it would have been more if they had not let Memphis run nicely to end the quarter.
The early parts of the fourth quarter were a brick festival by both banks. Once the starters returned to Denver, he built on his lead, but Dillon Brooks’ consecutive tries kept Memphis within striking distance. The two teams exchanged baskets for a while and in the final 30 seconds, Denver led by four points thanks to Jokic, until Desmond Bane hit a wide try outside the exit. In Denver’s penultimate possession, Jokic took it to Valenciunas, but his driver was blocked by Brandon Clarke, leaving Memphis with just enough time to run an ATO for a chance to win.
Yes Morant gets the pass and drives against Jokic, who goes upright even when Morant falls to the ground. Rodney Mott raises his hand and it looks like the Nuggets are going to suffer the same fate as they did against Washington when Bradley Beal won the game with a free throw over time … but no whistle before Dillon Brooks came to beat Jokic not! Foul on Memphis, game over. Mott probably pointed to Jokic verticality, but still it was a very bizarre ending.
Overall a solid W for the Nuggets. Jokic continued his MVP campaign, MPJ looked on both sides of the floor and it looks like Will Barton has regained confidence. The only downside was Jamal Murray’s play, which was pretty awful. Murray shot just 1-14 and broke his 12 games of 20+ points with three points. It was a pity his shot didn’t fall, but he will have plenty of time to make up for it, tomorrow against Dallas.