Grizzlies Rally Too Late & Fall to the Nuggets
The Memphis Grizzlies came into Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets at 41-33; the Nuggets were 31-44. Yet an old familiar habit from this season resurfaced: the inability to shut down a team that is below 0.500. The Grizzlies got outworked for 43 minutes. They never led the game and only tied the game once, 9-9. Their inability to connect on their free throws (missed 10 of their 27 attempts) and their difficulty in stifling the Nuggets from making 3 point shots (while simultaneously missing their own) ultimately led to their demise in Wednesday night’s game. The Grizzlies attempted to make a late comeback after trailing by as many as 20 points late in the 3rd quarter. In the last 5:20, the Grizzlies went on a 17-7 run, but it wasn’t enough to get them the W. They fell for the second time this week in front of the home crowd in one of the final few home games this season, 109-105.
Team Leaders
Zach Randolph, who hadn’t played in a week due to an ankle sprain, started and led all scorers with 26 points (10/20 FG), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in just over 33 minutes.
Jordan Farmar was the only other Grizzlies starter in double figures with 14 points (6/10 FG), 5 assists and 1 steal in just over 25 minutes.
JaMychal Green led the Grizzlies bench with 13 points (6/16 FG), 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in almost 26 minutes.
Lance Stephenson was the 2nd highest bench scorer with 12 points (4/10 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 25 minutes.
Former University of Memphis standout, Will Barton, came off the bench and led all Nuggets scorers with 25 points (6/12 FG), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in close to 33 minutes of play for the visiting team.
Head to Head
Field Goals: Nuggets win. Grizzlies 43% (41/95) to Nuggets 49% (38/78)
3PT Field Goals: Nuggets win. Grizzlies 32% (6/19) to Nuggets 45% (13/29) *side note: 4 of the 6 Grizzlies’ 3 point shots were made in the last 5 minutes of the game; 3 of them in the last 3 minutes*
Rebounds: Grizzlies win. Grizzlies 46 to Nuggets 42
Turnovers: Grizzlies win. Grizzlies 10 to Nuggets 14
Steals: Grizzlies win. Grizzlies 5 to Nuggets 4
Blocks: Nuggets win. Grizzlies 4 to Nuggets 7
Points in the Paint: Grizzlies win. Grizzlies 62 to Nuggets 38
Fast Break Points: Nuggets win. Grizzlies 15 to Nuggets 19
Bench Points: Nuggets win. Grizzlies 48 to Nuggets 60
2nd Chance Points: Grizzlies win. Grizzlies 21 to Nuggets 5
Playoff Watch
The season is coming close to an end. There are only a few more games to go. Every game is important. The Grizzlies now narrowly remain in the 5th spot of the Western Conference. They are just 2 games ahead of the Portland Trailblazers now, and they are 4 games ahead of falling out of the playoff picture altogether with 7 games left to play (3 home; 4 road). The Grizzlies currently have the 4th longest playoff streak in the league with 5 seasons (behind Spurs-19, Hawks-8, Bulls-7) and the 2nd longest in the Western Conference. Let’s keep the streak intact.
Keep your eye on Portland tonight against Boston in Portland and Houston against Chicago in Houston. You want every team under yours taking more losses than wins. Grizz Nation, the home team needs your support this Friday as they face the Toronto Raptors at the FedEx Forum. Times are hard right now, but keep your heads up. Even if they seem distant, better days are ahead. Keep the faith Grizz Nation, and remember what the young winner of Tony Allen’s Karaoke Night taught us: We Don’t Bluff, We Grind.
- Grizzlies dominate Hawks again in 118-101 victory - March 8, 2020
- Grizzlies rally too late, fall to Pelicans 126-116 - January 21, 2020
- Grizzlies win fifth straight, defeat Warriors 122-102 - January 13, 2020
