Final
Nuggets-Grizzlies Preview
Jan 8, 2016 - 3:07 AM The Memphis Grizzlies can secure their longest win streak on their own court this season in the opener to their longest homestand, but it's unclear if their starting backcourt will play.Mike Conley and Courtney Lee are considered questionable as the Grizzlies attempt to extend their mastery over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
Memphis came within one home win of matching the franchise single-season record in 2014-15, going 31-10, but started just 7-6 there in this campaign. The Grizzlies (19-18) found their groove at FedExForum last month, earning four straight wins before a road trip to start 2016.
They went 1-2 on the trek, dropping the opener in overtime against Utah on Saturday. Memphis was forced to play without Conley against Oklahoma City on Wednesday because of a sore left Achilles, and shooting guard Courtney Lee exited in the second half of a 112-94 loss with a bruised hip.
Mario Chalmers had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds off the bench but the Grizzlies shot 38.9 percent. Marc Gasol missed nine of 11 attempts while finishing with eight points.
''It's hard to sometimes figure out what we try to accomplish offensively, what our goal is in every set. We're not very disciplined," Gasol said. "I don't know why, but I know it ended up with me. I've got to be more assertive. I've got to be a playmaker."
The Grizzlies will try to open a six-game stay in Memphis with a sixth consecutive home win over the Nuggets. They've taken four of the past five overall matchups.
Denver (13-23) snapped a six-game skid and a season high-tying string of four road losses with a 78-74 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday.
The Nuggets shot 35.8 percent but held the Timberwolves to 38.4 percent.
"It wasn't pretty basketball at times but there's no such thing as an ugly win," coach Michael Malone said.
Danilo Gallinari was just one of two players in double figures with 20 points. Jusuf Nurkic had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks off the bench in his third game back from offseason knee surgery.
"Fifteen points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in his third game back is a helluva effort. I think as he gets in game shape ... that's going to get better and better," Malone said.
The Nuggets are hoping to get starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay back from a sprained right ankle that's kept him out since Dec. 11. The No. 7 overall pick was too sore to return Wednesday following what was reportedly a strenuous practice the previous day.
He is averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 assists in 23 games.
The Grizzlies' Zach Randolph is averaging 19.9 points and 13.7 rebounds in his last seven games against Denver. He also has double-doubles in each of his last five matchups but he'll likely have to try to extend that streak while coming off the bench.
Randolph, who has one double-double in his last 10 games, has started in just one of the past 13 contests.
- DENVER: 84
MEMPHIS: 91
Final
Jan 8 10:34 PM - End of 4th Quarter.
Jan 8 10:34 PM - DENVER: 66
MEMPHIS: 67
End of 3rd
Jan 8 9:51 PM - End of 3rd Quarter.
Jan 8 9:51 PM - 79
roots - 91
roots - 81
roots - 76
roots - 85
roots - DENVER: 37
MEMPHIS: 49
Halftime
Jan 8 9:11 PM - End of 1st Half.
Jan 8 9:11 PM - DENVER: 30
MEMPHIS: 29
End of 1st
Jan 8 8:37 PM - End of 1st Quarter.
Jan 8 8:37 PM - DENVER: 0
MEMPHIS: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Jan 8 8:11 PM - Nikola Jokic vs. Marc Gasol (Mario Chalmers gains possession)
Jan 8 8:10 PM
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