Quick Recap: Memphis Grizzlies Fall to the Denver Nuggets 113-97

It’s the Mile High City for a reason. That altitude kicked the Grizzlies butt late…

The Memphis Grizzlies traveled further west as they continued their West Coast road trip. This time? A matchup with a Denver Nuggets team that Memphis handled less than a week ago at FedEx Forum. Another matchup featuring the two best teams in the Western Conference. An opportunity for Memphis to continue gain ground on the one seed, but more importantly keep gaining steam heading into their final stretch of games.

Memphis has struggled on the road this season, can they take care of business in Denver and win their fourth straight?

First Quarter:

I don’t think many were sure how the Grizzlies would start on the road, and in the elements that Denver brings. The altitude, along with the talent on the Nuggets roster. Oh, and a weekend in Los Angeles that lied ahead for Memphis.

The energy was certainly not lacking from either side from the jump ball. Memphis and Denver felt like they were exchanging body blows. The quarter felt like it was separated by the Grizzlies rotation to close the first quarter out. Taylor Jenkins opted to run an all bench unit for nearly 3 and a half minutes before putting Jackson Jr. back in the game in the final minute.

Despite the great start a non-contact left knee injury with Brandon Clarke loomed over the Grizzlies following a strong start. Memphis trailed Denver 28-27 heading to the second quarter.

Second Quarter

The Grizzlies responded well to having one of their key cogs going down with a left leg injury. Specifically, Jaren Jackson Jr., coming in to start the second quarter on both ends of the floor. Aggressive, looking for his shots, and defending the rim well.

Memphis maintained, and relied on their ole’ faithful defense. Memphis forced Denver into some tough shots, and Jackson Jr. took away what made Denver hang around in the first half – attacking the rim.

Morant entered with 7 minutes remaining in the first half, and proceeded to lead as he always has. Memphis just had all of the energy heading into the half behind Morant’s 19 first half point total. the Grizzlies led the Nuggets 58-50.

Third Quarter:

The third quarter featured some high intensity basketball from two of the top two teams in the Western Conference. It appeared that Denver had finally found their energy in the third quarter as two Canadian natives Jamal Murray and Dillon Brooks went back and fourth jawing with one another…. respectfully.

Memphis was able to answer the Nuggets answer in the third quarter, as we were in for quite the ending in Denver as it was tied at 80 all heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter:

The fourth quarter turned out to be a nightmare for the Grizzlies. Felt like rotations were just a tick off all night, and it eventually came back to bite the Grizzlies. Starting the fourth quarter with one of your three stars on the floor is an absolute killer.

Morant and Jackson Jr. were on the bench for majority of a 24-6 Nuggets run. By the time Morant returned to the floor, Memphis trailed the red hot Nuggets 96-86. It was too late, and honestly the Grizzlies bench gave them little to nothing all night.

Memphis would end up falling to the Nuggets 113-97. The Grizzlies will look to bounce back Sunday night as they take on the Los Angeles Clippers.