Game 27: Memphis Grizzlies (15-10) @ Denver Nuggets (17-9) - 9:00 PM ET

[ducler]

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[NuggetsWY]

Their record is better than projected by most and Gasol is tough for anyone to matchup against - although Jokic might do better than some. Anderson will be a very tough matchup for any of our players. Hernangomez is our best bet there (or maybe Craig). If either can slow him down, it'll really help. The biggest problem will be Conley, especially if Murray is out. Morris & Beasley and maybe Craig are the only ones with a shot at slowing this guy down. He's sneaky quick with a nice change of speed move.

[THE J0KER]

This is a big mistake from Malone to put Plumlee and Craig in starting lineup in the same time, which have an kryptonite effect on Jokic passing skills, and gives the opponent opportunity to double focus on Murray and Juancho.

+5 on halftime is not bad... Jokic played 19:30 in 1st half, that is the only way if we want some results without 3 starters.

Nice to see Murray is playing 2nd half, that hard foul at the end of 1st half was so deja vu with Atlanta 1st half last minute intentional foul.

[skywalker33]

This is a big mistake from Malone to put Plumlee and Craig in starting lineup in the same time, which have an kryptonite effect on Jokic passing skills, and gives the opponent opportunity to double focus on Murray and Juancho.

+5 on halftime is not bad... Jokic played 19:30 in 1st half, that is the only way if we want some results without 3 starters.

Just how many choices do you think he has missing 6 player ?? And Jokic seems to be doing well in other areas to compensate.

[skywalker33]

Wow, Craig OUTSCORING Juancho ?? Anyone else seeing an issue here ?

[THE J0KER]

This is a big mistake from Malone to put Plumlee and Craig in starting lineup in the same time, which have an kryptonite effect on Jokic passing skills, and gives the opponent opportunity to double focus on Murray and Juancho.

+5 on halftime is not bad... Jokic played 19:30 in 1st half, that is the only way if we want some results without 3 starters.

Just how many choices do you think he has missing 6 player ?? And Jokic seems to be doing well in other areas to compensate.

Put Lyles instead Plumlee OR put Beasley instead Craig in starting lineup. I'm not complaining about projected Plumlee and Craig playing time, but about starter status, because if they BOTH have a starter status, that will maximize the time they all three will play in the same time on the court, which is worst case scenario for Jokic passing.

[youngthegiant]

I don't care how many injuries we have, Craig is complete **** and should not be starting under any circumstance.

[skywalker33]

Even though the flow of this game played into MEM's gameplan, we pulled out a victory !!! Perhaps there still is some Mile High Magic !!

[RRFB]

Every win is a good win at this point. Thought the defense was really good in the 4th quarter. It's good to know they can still do that without Millsap.

I agree with Joker on the starting lineup. If you're going to start Plumlee, you can't have Craig in there too. I'd like to see Monte get the start with Murray playing off ball.

[skywalker33]

I agree with Joker on the starting lineup. If you're going to start Plumlee, you can't have Craig in there too. I'd like to see Monte get the start with Murray playing off ball.

Hard to disagree but with all the injuries you have to play someone while still keeping a bench, And honestly, Lyles wouldn't have been a good matchup against Jackson IMO.

[THE J0KER]

The beauty of the win ugly type of the game!

I'm so confused to see Morris playing like Murray (20p, 4x3p), Murray playing like Harris (4st, 2blk), Juancho playing like Lyles (this season), Plumlee playing like Millsap (double-double), and Jokic playing like a real franchise player (38+ minutes)!?

Despite Jokic has best 27-12-6 numbers, that is nothing special for his standards considering he played almost 40 minutes tonight, and the only reason why Jokic doesn't have this season more often games like this or better is under-30 minutes per game he played before latest Millsap+Harris injury. So, the real player of the game tonight is Monte Morris with his trademark efficiency (8-12 from the field, 4-5 for 3pt, 5/1 ast/to) with tied career-high 6 rebounds. I don't know why Murray takes just 10 shots in 36 minutes when 3 other starters not played, but his efficiency (6-10), 5 assists, and 6 interceptions (4st, 2bl) are still a great contribution to the win.

Very important win.

[skywalker33]

Kudos to Monte Morris as well, heckuva game for him !! Steppin' UP

[Mickey8]

Its sad that Jokic play like this only when Millsap goes down, to me this is entirely on the coach.

[NuggetsWY]

Thoughts based on the game and comments above:

1. Memphis won only the 3rd quarter (with 33 - too much). That's a fairly well played game for Denver.

2. Stopping Memphis basically amounts to stopping Gasol & Conley. Stopping Gasol was primarily up to Jokic & Plumlee and they did a good job of it (with team help). Stopping COnley is more difficult because of his quickness. It seemed like the Nuggets tried to play too close to him and he blew past them. But the end result was very positive and most of the credit goes to Craig & Murray (with team help).

3. The Nuggets biggest problem on both ends of the court is simply movement and energy. They play best when they are not standing still on offense and when they are providing help-defense to each other.

4. I'm well-known for being critical of Malone but I'll cut him a break every game for lineups and rotations when the Nuggets win - especially against a good team and Memphis is playing much better than predicted by most.

5. Jokic is like many of the greatest PGs who loved an assist more than a score but he recognized the team's need for his scoring and he did what was required. I still believe that if the offense stops standing still, Jokic could average 20+ points and he would be very happy and the fans would love it and the team would win.

6. On offense, this game belonged to Jokic & Morris along with Murray late in the game. But ultimately the defense was a fair, not great effort. Most important, they again proved they learned how to win a close game (something we saw too seldom over the last five years).