Insider Insights: Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets

We were spoiled for four games.

Memphis took on the defending NBA champs, Denver Nuggets on the third game of their 3-game road trip. Ja Morant and Santi Aldama were both out of this game with non-COVID illnesses which added to the already long list of injuries. Denver was without key player Aaron Gordon.

Memphis came into the game on a 4-game winning streak since Morant’s return from suspension which set them to a 10-19 record. Denver came into the game well rested from their Christmas Day win against the Golden State Warriors which extended their win streak to 5 and their overall record to 22-10.

Both teams were missing key pieces, but it seems like the impact was only felt for Memphis.

If you look at the four games since Morant returned, the team looks completely different. The flow on offense is a lot free-flowing and fast-paced, there is more spacing on the floor, and the energy within the team is just more intense.

Unfortunately, tonight looked a lot like the first 25 games without Morant, ending in a blowout loss.

The first quarter was the most competitive part of the game. Desmond Bane got off to a quick start with two deep threes. His 8 quick points got Memphis up 15-7 at the 7:50 mark. Denver responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game up at 15.

Both teams traded buckets for the rest of the quarter as Nikola Jokic made his presence known with 13 points as the quarter ended with the Nuggets up 33-27.

Continuing from the 1st, Denver opened the 2nd quarter on a 13-0 run to extend the lead to 42-27. Memphis came with a counterpunch with a short run to cut the deficit to 4 at 45-41.

This was the closest Memphis could come for the rest of the night. Jamal Murray came alive in the second quarter with 8 points as Denver outscored Memphis 32-21 in this quarter. The lead climbed as big as 20. Memphis became ice cold from the field as Denver caught fire.

At the end of the first half the score was 65-48 in favor of the home team. The duo of Jokic and Murray recorded 15 and 13 points a piece. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane ended the half with 13 and 11 points a piece.

In the second half the game blew open. Memphis tried to put up a fight but the sure offensive juggernaut that is the Denver Nuggets proved to be too much for Memphis. Everyone in Denver’s lineup contributed on the offensive end led by Murray and Jokic, and Memphis simply couldn’t compete in a shootout without Morant.

Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane tried to add a spark with 10 points each in the 2nd half and David Roddy pitched in with 12, but it wasn’t enough. Memphis couldn’t get enough stops on the defensive end to keep Denver at bay, resulting in a 142-105 blowout loss.

Jokic was up to his usual MVP activities by recording a 26 PTS, 14 RBS, and 10 ASTS triple-double on a perfect 11/11 from the field and 3/3 from the free throw line. The Joker made it look easy for himself and his teammates.

He helped Murray get to 23 PTS and 9 ASTS on the night and Peyton Watson to a career-high 20 PTS.

Rebounding and points in the paint spelled doomed for Memphis. Denver dominated the inside, winning the rebounding battle 53-34 and paint points 64-46. These are consistent weak points for Memphis without Morant in the lineup and things that need to be corrected no matter if number 12 is playing or not.

Bane led Memphis with 23 PTS and Smart added 17 PTS respectively. Morant or not, a 37-point loss is inexcusable. With the Grizzlies sitting at 13th in the Western Conference currently, each loss matters even more with Memphis pushing for a playoff berth.

Now for the takeaways:

Never take 12 for granted again.

News flash, right? Memphis is better with their superstar in the lineup. Who would’ve thought? But, in all seriousness ,this team needs Morant to stay afloat this season. If you look at the game tape from the 4-game winning streak to last night’s action, it’s night and day.

I just don’t think the drop-off of the product on the floor shouldn’t be this drastic. I understand that Memphis isn’t healthy, and they were playing the defending champs, but the energy and vibe of the team just didn’t seem to be there tonight. This trend has been going on for the majority of this season.

All the stats show that Memphis is better with Morant. During their four-game winning streak, the Grizzlies rank second in the NBA in points in the paint (59.5), third in points scored off opponent turnovers (20.3), sixth in free-throw attempts (26.0), and ninth in field-goal percentage (49.0).

Even the defensive end for Memphis is performed at a higher level with 12 in the lineup. In the Dec. 26 game against New Orleans, Memphis set a franchise record in blocks in a game with 17. In the Dec. 21 game against the Indiana Pacers, the Grizzlies defense shut down the Pacers for a 116-103 win. Indiana entered the game as the NBA’s top-scoring team at nearly 130 points a game and exited with their lowest point total of the season.

This quick relapse to the bad basketball pre-Morant return should make fans and media understand the impact of Morant and maybe even appreciate him even more. The “Grizzlies are better without Morant” crowd has been silenced and nights like last night just add to that.

Despite not having Morant and Aldama, getting beat by 37 points is unjustifiable and unacceptable. This shows a personnel issue outside of Morant’s absence.

Team has been a top 10 defense the last 3-4 years which is basically a standard for a championship teams based on history. Been average offensively because of talent & process, and while I think the process has improved, the talent is lacking by a mile. Talent/roster trumps all https://t.co/rSClf7DCqP

— Alex (@alexwinton_) December 29, 2023

Denver is the measuring stick in the Western Conference and even without Morant, an almost 40-point defeat may show that they may not be at the level to compete for a championship this season like they initially thought.

Maybe that means making a trade at the deadline for another big piece or just waiting until everyone is completely healthy. Either way, there needs to be some soul-searching in this team and the front office with how they want this season to go no matter who is in the lineup.

Morant is a generational talent, but the swag and pride of the Grizzlies didn’t start nor will it end with him. When this team starts to play with that infectious pride night in and night out, this team will look like the championship-contending product we have seen in years past.

Optimistic/Pessimistic

Optimistic: There are 52 games left in the season. This means there is time for Memphis to make a push to the playoffs and if Morant stays in the lineup it will be more possible by the game. Hopefully, he just needed an extra day to get over his illness.

Winning 2 out of 3 or 3 out of 5 is a 60% winning percentage

Maintain that pace and you finish the season 41-41

This first 5 game set you are 4-1

Keep chipping away at it Grizz

10-20 so far with 52 games to go pic.twitter.com/XEvogPums7

— Anthony Sain (@SainAsylum) December 29, 2023

Pessimistic: The Grizzlies aren’t healthy and they seem to be lost without Morant. Which may point towards a personnel or talent issue, or both. The front office has potentially some big decisions to make soon.