The Grizzlies defeated the Denver Nuggets 99-69 Thursday night in a nationally televised showdown on TNT at FedExForum. The victory extended Memphis’ home winning streak to four and overall winning streak to five. Memphis has won their last two games by a combined 59 points and tonight’s effort was the largest margin of victory for the season. The Grizzlies are also now 20-7 against the Western Conference.
Zach Randolph (15 points, 17 rebounds) continued his torrid streak of double-doubles, notching his 11th double-digit point and rebound effort in as many games since his return for a nine-game absence due a sore right knee. Randolph led the team in both categories and continued his career-long streak of double-digit rebounds with his 17th straight game.
All Grizzlies starters scored in double-digits, including Beno Udrih (11 points, three assists), who replaced Mike Conley for second straight game due to a left wrist injury. Nick Calathes had his second straight double-digit scoring effort with 11 points on 5-of-10 (.500 shooting) and added a team-high five assists in 25 minutes of play.
With 5:20 remaining in the second quarter, Vince Carter was removed from the game with a left foot injury and did not return.
Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried both scored 10 points for Denver on a combined 10-of-22 (.456) shooting. Ty Lawson added nine points and six assists.
The Nuggets had a tough shooting night, going 29-of-87 (.333) from the field and 2-of-26 (.077) from beyond the arc, both of which marked a Grizzlies opponent season low. Denver’s 69 points also tied an opponent season-low matching Charlotte’s point total from Nov. 1.
With tonight’s victory the season series stands at 1-1 after a 114-85 loss at Denver on Jan. 3. The third and final matchup between the two clubs will occur on March 16 at FedExForum.
Memphis will go toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the much-improved Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday Jan. 31 at 7pm (CT) at FedExForum. Following what promises to be a historical showdown on Saturday, the Grizzlies will embark on a three-game road trip to Phoenix (Feb. 2), Utah (Feb. 4) and Minnesota (Feb. 6). Memphis is 8-3 (.727) on the road when facing Western Conference teams.
Key Stat of the Night
- Denver scored 69 points on 29-of-87 shooting (.333) tonight after posting 114 points on 41-of-79 shooting (.519) in the first matchup between the two teams on Jan. 3... Denver also only made two of its 26 three-point attempts (.077)... Both field goal percentages were Grizzlies opponent’s season lows, and the 69 points tied a Grizzlies opponent’s low.
Key Run of the Night
- With 6:37 remaining in the third quarter and the score at 60-43 Memphis, the Grizzlies went on a 14-6 run led by a three-pointer by Jeff Green to close out the quarter giving Memphis a 25-point lead... The Nuggets never led… The closest the team got was 4-2 with 10:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Quotes
Player Notes
- Zach Randolph (15 points and 17 rebounds) led all scorers on the floor notching his 11th straight double-double since his returning from a nine-game absence due to a sore knee and 17th straight game with 10 or more rebounds recording a new career-high.
- Jeff Green scored 13 points and grabbed two rebounds making three of his four attempts at the free throw line... Green has only missed one free throw (tonight) since joining the Grizzlies.
- Nick Calathes led all bench players with 11 points on 5-of-10 (.500) shooting, dished out five assists in 25 minutes.
- After posting 11 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks off the bench against Memphis on Jan. 3, Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic was held scoreless on seven shot attempts with six rebounds in a start tonight.
- Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried scored 10 apiece to lead Denver and were the only Nuggets to score in double figures.
- Vince Carter exited the game after sustaining a left foot injury with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter and did not return… Carter will be re-evaluated Friday morning.