Thirteenth victory in fifteen games for the Grizzlies, firmly clinging to their 3rd place in the Western Conference. In the wake of a super Ja Morant (38 points), Memphis won 112-108, and from the start of the match, Steven Adams caused major problems for Nikola Jokic. The Serb is muzzled and the Grizzlies take the opportunity to escape with a big 3-point address and a big contribution from De’Anthony Melton off the bench (37-28).
Opposite, Zeke Nnaji is unleashed but as soon as Ja Morant comes back into play, the Grizzlies take off again (63-50). Except that Nikola Jokic finally manages to get rid of the clutches of Steven Adams, and well served by Will Barton, he allows the Nuggets to join the locker room five points behind (68-63).
Back from the locker room, the Jokic-Barton duo confirmed that things were better, and the Nuggets took control after a superb counter-attack ended by Barton (73-72). In a big atmosphere, Denver unrolls his basketball, and it’s clearly going too fast for the Grizzlies late in defense and overwhelmed by the rhythm (84-76).
Memphis is looking for a second wind, and as in the first quarter, it is Melton who will make the difference. With Morant, they sign a 15-4 to end the third quarter, and Memphis took over the reins of the match (98-92).
Memphis attacks the last quarter on a 6-0 to drive the point home, and we find the 10-12 points ahead of the first half (104-92). Nikola Jokic may be everywhere and sign a 4th triple-double in a row, his Nuggets will fail in their hold-up attempt. A very good passage from Aaron Gordon will bring them back to four units (115-111) but Jaren Jackson Jr. will plant the 3-pointer which ensures the victory of the Grizzlies.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Grizzlies bench. Memphis is without several major players (Brooks, Anderson, Jones and Bane), and yet it’s still the same energy and the same basketball produced. Tonight, it was De’Anthony Melton who hurt with his points, but Brandon Clarke’s activity and Jarrett Culver’s defense played a big role. Conversely, the Nuggets ran out of a joker.
– The protection of the circle. Facing Nikola Jokic, the Adams/Jackson Jr duo was remarkable with this mix of power and athletic qualities. Brandon Clarke also contributed, as did Ziaire Williams. The Nuggets struggled to get close to the circle, and Memphis finished the game with 10 blocks.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Ja Morant. He’s not far off his career high, and his first half is fabulous. He simply did the total for the Nuggets, whether on the ground, from afar, or in the air. In the second half, he woke up his teammates when the Nuggets had taken control, and we will remember this slalom ended with a marvelous lay-up to avoid Nikola Jokic.
✅ De’Anthony Melton. The perfect joker to punish the weak Nuggets bench. Twice, it caught fire, and twice, it allowed the Grizzlies to widen the gap. His deal with Morant put Denver’s defense on their heels.
✅ Jaren Jackson Jr.. Despite a foul problem, he delivered a full game, and it was in defense that he was most valuable. Together with Steven Adams, they hampered Nikola Jokic for a long time. It was he who planted the 3-point winner two minutes from the end.
✅ Nikola Jokic. Fourth triple-double in a row for the inexhaustible MVP. He let the match come to him, without forcing it. It’s hard to blame him for anything when you have so little waste.
⛔ The Campazzo/Hyland duo. Zero points scored in 31 minutes for Denver’s replacement “backcourt”. They suffered from the comparison with De’Anthony Melton, much punchier and more aggressive on both sides of the field.
THE FOLLOWING
Denver (23-21): end of this series of six home games with the reception of the Pistons on Sunday.
Memphis (32-16): new big piece with a trip to Dallas on Sunday.
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