After a quick one-game trip to the West Coast, the Denver Nuggets find themselves in the friendly confines of Ball Arena to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. This will be the first game of a five-game home series that could very well settle playoff seeding questions around Denver. While the rest of the country is littered with playoff teams, it starts with the bad Grizzlies. After being the second seed in the West last year, Memphis’ season really never got going this year. Star guard Ja Morant was suspended for the first twenty-five games for repeatedly waving guns on social media, then succumbed to a season-ending shoulder injury shortly after his back. Other injuries have littered their roster all season and despite still having a leading big man in Jaren Jackson Jr., there just haven’t been enough to put puts something resembling a successful season in Memphis.
The essentials
WHO: Denver Nuggets (50-21) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-47)
When: 7:00 p.m. MDT
Or: The can. Denver, Colorado.
How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy…unless it’s a fictionalized 18th century hack. Altitude TV where available (Altitude TV is on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV). NBA League pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5. Dress like a back and ankle healing guru and they’ll probably wave you straight into the locker room.
Rival blog: Bluff City Media
The game
| Position | Nuggets | Grizzlies | Advantage |
| PG | Jamal Murray | Jordan Goodwin | Nuggets |
| SG | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Desmond Bane | Even |
| SF | Michael Porter Jr. | G.J. Jackson | Nuggets |
| PF | Aaron Gordon | Santi Aldama | Nuggets |
| VS | Nikola Jokic | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Nuggets |
| Bench | Reggie Jackson, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Justin Holiday, DeAndre Jordan | Jake LaRavia, Scottie Pippen Jr., Maozinha Pereira, Dejon Jarreau | Nuggets |
Injury Report: Nikola Jokic – questionable (back), Jamal Murray – questionable (ankle), Zeke Nnaji – out (adductor), Vlatko Cancar – out (knee); Desmond Bane – questionable (back), Jake LaRavia – questionable (illness), Brandon Clarke – questionable (Achilles), John Konchar – questionable (heel), Luke Kennard – out (personal), Ja Morant – out (shoulder), Derrick Rose – outside (groin).
The three things
What to watch out for: Nikola Jokic vs. Jaren Jackson Jr.
December 28, 2019; Denver, Colorado, United States; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the second half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Only one top game to talk about tonight and that’s center stage (provided Nikola Jokic plays tonight of course). Even though it has been a forgettable season for the Grizzlies, JJJ still remains one of the premier players in the league. The Defensive Player of the Year is averaging a career-high in scoring as he takes on more of Memphis’ offensive load with all of his injuries and it has come at a cost to his defense. Still, Jackson is by far the best player the Grizzlies will put on the court tonight and has the defensive acumen to at least attempt to slow down Jokic. He’s done a decent job in the past, although like everyone who plays the Joker, Jackson still gets screwed on occasion. It’s worth noting, however, that Jokic hasn’t scored more than 26 points against Jackson in about two years. With JJJ having to focus so much on defense in this game, one wonders if he, and therefore the Grizzlies as a whole, will suffer a bit in terms of offensive production.
What you must remember : health remains the most important
Denver chose to rest their stars for the game against Portland and it almost cost them a win. The Grizzlies are another team I won’t be shocked to see Denver field a less-than-full roster against. I think Jokic is probably playing because his injury is more about management than anything else. Jamal Murray, but I won’t be surprised to see him sitting out tonight, and that’s okay. Even if Denver loses this game tonight, it won’t matter much if they take care of business the rest of the week. The Nuggets have another massive game looming with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the end of the week and two more games this week against playoff teams. It’s best to let your best guys handle it by sitting down tonight and getting them ready for the rest of the week.
The thing to bet on: Jaren Jackson Jr. under 21.5 points (-110)
I’m going to go with the theory that Jackson will need to focus more on defense tonight and it will end in a light scoring night from him. It’s also worth noting that Jackson has only scored 22 or more points against Nikola twice in their 16 games, although, again, we have to consider the context in which this specific game features a team from the Grizzlies without any other good players to speak of. Either way, give yourself the opportunity to go to bed early because of a breakout and I’ll take it.
