Defense meets offense when the Memphis Grizzlies (38-23, 12-18 Away) travel to face the Denver Nuggets (44-19, 28-4 Home) on Friday. Memphis beat the Houston Rockets 113-99 at Toyota Center on Wednesday, their third straight win. With 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, Desmond Bane was the key player. The Grizzlies are the second seed in the Western Conference.
Denver won in impressive fashion on Tuesday at Toyota Center, beating the Houston Rockets 133-112. Jamal Murray had 32 points and six assists, carrying the team.
The Nuggets are the first seed in the Western Conference, 5.5 games ahead of the Grizzlies. The teams are meeting for the final time this season. Memphis and Denver have split their two matchups this season.
The Grizzlies triumphed in the most recent meeting, beating the Nuggets 112-94 at FedExForum on Saturday. Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 23 points, while Tyus Jones added 17 points, five assists, and two rebounds. Nikola Jokic had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in the loss.
Morant is averaging 27.1 points per game, ninth-highest in the NBA, to lead the Grizzlies in scoring this season. Morant also has dished 8.2 assists per game, fifth-most in the league. Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. is grabbing 6.6 rebounds.
Jokic’s 24.6 points per game have powered the Nuggets on offense. Jokic has also posted 11.7 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game, for which he ranks third and fourth in the NBA, respectively. The Nuggets rank as the NBA’s best team in offensive efficiency, while the Grizzlies are the top team for defensive efficiency.
The Grizzlies have not found much success at Ball Arena in recent seasons, losing eight of the last 10 games. Denver is looking for a seventh consecutive win at home this season.
In the last 10 games, Memphis is 6-4 with an average margin of +5.3 (112.5-107.2). Denver has a 7-3 record over the last 10, scoring 117.3 points per game on average while allowing 113.4 (+3.9 margin).
GRIZZLIES HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
John Konchar: 7.4 | 11.6 | -4.2
Points per game:
Brandon Clarke: 6.0 | 10.1 | -4.1
NUGGETS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Thomas Bryant: 10.8 | 18.1 | -7.3
Points per game:
Aaron Gordon: 8.5 | 17.0 | -8.5
Assists per game:
Jamal Murray: 7.8 | 6.0 | +1.8
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Denver Nuggets (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
