Nikola Jokic added his 53rd double-double in 60 games played this season with 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead one more victory for the Denver Nuggets, this time 120-96 over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Triumph solidifies the fourth place in the Colorado franchise in the classification, a position that could mean a duel against Los angeles lakers in the first round of playoffs. Both teams, it should be remembered, played in the Western Conference Finals last year.
Denver has seen how in the last few days Michael Porter Jr. has taken a step forward after the serious injury of Jamal Murray, who with a torn cruciate ligament will not return until next year. The young forward marveled one more night with 31 points and 7 rebounds against Memphis in a display of shooting efficiency (12-19 TC; 3-6 3P).
In a match tied until the last quarter, the contributions of Aaron Gordon (15 points) and Facundo Campazzo, which ended with 7 points, 7 assists and 2 steals of the ball in 30 minutes of play, were key to the triumph of Michael Malone’s team.
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stin rivers, who has landed in Denver to replace Murray’s absence, continues to adapt to the coach’s system and accumulate minutes of play heading into the playoffs. In 29 minutes from the bench last night he contributed 6 points and 3 assists (3-8 TC; 0-4 3P).
Paul millsap, who scored 9 of his 12 points in the last period, started the Nuggets’ final break on the scoreboard against Some Grizzlies who are eighth and see how the Spurs, ninth, have already equaled them (31-29) in his tremendous fight for the last places of access to the playoffs.
A 12-0 partial tipped the balance against some Grizzlies that fortunately are recovering troops facing the final outcome of the course. Ja Morant led for Memphis with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while Jonas Valanciunas contributed 13 points. Jaren Jackson Jr. was the third leading scorer with 10 points and no other Memphis player reached double digits.
The Grizzlies draw positive conclusions from a seven-game road series resolved with four wins and three losses. “We have improved despite having lost some close matches”, Grayson Allen appreciated about it.
Without Monte Morris and Will Barton, two other weight injuries, Malone asks the basketball gods for more health heading into the playoffs. It is the only thing that could stop some Nuggets that continue to have the most likely MVP of the course in Nikola Jokic.