Game Preview: Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies

When: Friday, October 27th, 6:00 PM CST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

It’s here, friends. We made it. The NBA is back, and that means Memphis hoops are back.

Granted, could the Grizzlies have had a better return to the Forum? Sure. A 111-104 beatdown at the hands of the Pelicans is not my idea of a fun Wednesday night. I bet it’s not the guys’ either.

No matter; it is a long season, after all. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and company will get a bounce-back opportunity on Friday. That evening, the defending champs—the Denver Nuggets—are coming to town.

Last season, Memphis played Denver three times. They went 1-2 in those games. It’s worth noting that in one of those losses, Aaron Gordon did not play, and Jokić still posted a triple-double.

And Morant was active in those contests, too. All that to say, the Grizzlies may have their hands full before they can enjoy their weekend. With their frontcourt still banged up, who will Memphis throw at the Joker?

It’s only the second game, but there are already plenty of narratives to keep your eyes on. Here’s what’s worth watching out for in tonight’s contest.

Who Will the Grizzlies Throw at Jokić?

The above—I imagine—is the question that every team in the league asks themselves. Who on the roster do teams have that they can throw at the two-time former MVP of the league? And would Memphis deem its own answer satisfactory?

My guess is no, being that both Steven Adams and Santi Aldama are currently listed as “Out” for Friday. That’s at least two big bodies the Grizzlies would have in a normal regular season they can’t call on.

So, they’re left with three guys: Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman Sr., and Kenneth Lofton Jr. That’s it for the time being. Considering Memphis’ three games against Denver last year, it may be on shakier ground than that.

Jaren had 13 personal fouls across the three contests. He also had single-digit points in two of the three. Now, he did have nine blocks as well, a trend he continued on Wednesday. But the bottom line? Evidence shows Trip may need some assistance against Jokić.

That leaves X and Junior. To Tillman’s credit, he has actually handled himself quite well against Denver in the past. He saw time in only two of the games, as Adams had yet to injure his knee in one of them. Still, he tallied one double-double (11 PTS, 10 REB) and damn near a second one (12 PTS, 7 REB). He’ll hold his own, but it can’t be on only him.

But at this point? That’s where we’re at… Because who knows what happens with the Junior saga? I would’ve thought Coach Jenkins would hand out minutes to him in Game 1. You know, on account of him being one of three bigs on the roster. I assumed he would at least—you know—play because we were in desperate need of him.

But you know what happens when you assume, right? You make an ass out of you and me. I cannot tell you how often my old man directed that idiom at me. In this scenario, though…I find myself pushing back. How so, if I may ask? How are we the ones who look foolish when it makes every bit of sense to play Junior?

Memphis is in desperate need of size in these first two games. Why is TJ planting his flag on this hill? It seems we are missing part of the picture. Or at least I assume so.