Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets (12/28/23)

When: Thursday, December 28th, 8:00 PM Central

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

How To Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

If you bothered to pay any attention during middle school science class, you’d probably know that lava is the hottest naturally occurring substance on planet Earth, with temperatures that can shoot up to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Well, ever since Ja Morant returned to the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies can probably give Lava a run for its money.

For the past four games, the Beale Street Bears have been scorching hot, with a roaring 4-0 start commandeered by the Murray State point guard, who continues to make eye-popping plays anytime he’s on the floor. It has been an incredible start thus far for Morant, so much so that he was recently awarded Western Conference Player of the Week honors his first week back from suspension.

I’d be daft not to mention the All-Star level play of Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane alongside the franchise point guard; they have been just as critical in elevating Memphis from the depths of despair. 

In one fell swoop, the Grizzlies have ascended from a team glued to the lowly pits of despair (at the bottom barrel of the Western Conference) into a team that looks flat-out unstoppable. However, a true test is imminent – the Grizzlies will kick off the first night of a back-to-back road slate with a late-night matchup against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

It’s almost like playing a mirror image; the Nuggets are also rolling right now amid a four-game win streak themselves. In other words, the Grizzlies are about to get tested in a big way. This is a chance to cement themselves back as a serious NBA playoff contender in a battle with one of the best teams in basketball on both ends.

Here’s what I’ll be looking for.

The Big Three vs. The Big Two 

As mentioned above, the core three of the Grizzlies have been a force to be reckoned with. On any given night, they are collectively one of the best offensive units in the NBA. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane have each averaged 29 points on 57 and 58 percent shooting, respectively, in the past four games.

Unicorn big man Jaren Jackson Jr has contributed 21 points on 66 percent shooting. This young trio has been clicking at the right time, giving Memphis an inside-out attack that has made any deficit seem easy to overcome. This is a star-driven league, and how the Grizzlies stack up next to the ring duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be at the forefront of the action. 

The Nikola Jokic Strategy

It’s never easy to stop a two-time MVP, especially one currently amid one of the most efficient seasons of his NBA career. It’s even more precarious when that player is a single offensive unit that can see through just about any post trap or double team and hit open teammates.

The Denver Nuggets boast a top-10 unit in offensive and defensive rating and lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio; it is primarily because of the Serbian basketball behemoth known as Nikola Jokic. He is the maestro of a free-flowing, unselfish Denver Nuggets squad that knows how to play efficient team basketball. The Grizzlies must frustrate him defensively by limiting his passing lanes and playing smart, physical one-on-one defense. They should only show double teams when absolutely necessary.

There’s a bit of a recent wrinkle heading into this game; Denver Nuggets’ starting power forward Aaron Gordon has been ruled out indefindently after suffering dog bites to his hand and face. Expect the Nuggets to play smaller with a more perimeter-centric mindset after this news. 

The Adjustment of Marcus Smart

Well, maybe I shouldn’t even call it an adjustment because Marcus Smart looked like he belonged in the Grizzlies’ thrilling come-from-behind win against the New Orleans Pelicans. This was his first game back after suffering a foot injury last month.

His season-high five steals and infectious effort and energy were critical in the comeback and promoted many of the reasons why he has been a coveted player for the front office for many years. Smart can singlehandedly swing momentum with his defensive effort and intensity.

The Grizzlies will need him to continue to be a defensive playmaker, as he’ll likely be tasked with guarding a shifty and speedy three-level scorer in Jamal Murray. The scoring is still a work in progress; Smart went 2-for-8 from three-point land but did finish 40 percent from the field. This matchup against the Nuggets is the chance for Smart to show some of what has made him such a respected role player around the league.

Box-office basketball is the name of the game tonight. Get out some popcorn and enjoy a fun battle.