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Denver Nuggets: Memphis Grizzlies match up to watch

By Michael Longhofer

Memphis Grizzlies v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - JANUARY 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center on January 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)Getty ID: 904370192
Memphis Grizzlies v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - JANUARY 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center on January 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)Getty ID: 904370192 /
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Sacramento Kings v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO – MARCH 11: Head coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets speak during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 11, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 930630000
Sacramento Kings v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO – MARCH 11: Head coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets speak during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 11, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 930630000 /

On the other side, Jamal Murray has re-established himself after a bit of a downturn in late-February.

In a statistical oddity, Murray has not performed well against the Grizzlies.  He has not done well in three games at FedEx Forum.  March is not, statistically, a good month for him. As a second-year player, his 16.4 points-per-game is outstanding.  As a starting point guard on a team that has aspirations to playoff success, it’s a bit low.

The issue for Murray has been consistency.  He’s gone for 38 against the Thunder.  He’s gone for five against the Bulls.

He has seemed to find some of that consistency, improving his FG% to nearly 46% and his 3-PT% to just shy of 41% in the month of March.

He is +130 for the season in (+/-) rating.

As mentioned above, there’s a state-of-mind that Murray can enter that makes him difficult to defend, even for the best of the NBA guards.  He can get to the rim, shoot from deep and has an underrated mid-range game.  He shoots over 91% from the free-throw line.

Where Murray is sometimes overlooked is on the defensive end.  Murray is a great on-ball defender and the Nuggets have enough size and skill in their interior defense that he should be able to take Evans pretty much man-up.

Look for Jamal to continue to exert himself and feed off of Jokic.  We issued the edict that he has to score 20 per game for the rest of the season.  Not average 20, score 20 in every game.  He’s that important to the fortunes of the Nuggets.  Jokic can stack up triple-doubles every game, if nobody else contributes, those stats get buried in losses.

With Harris in street clothes tonight and against a team that’s lost 19 straight, Jamal’s participation becomes crucial.

Next: Denver Nuggets: Previewing the Memphis game

Fortunately, he’s been up to it lately and Tyreke Evans should bring out the competitive side of Jamal, early and often.

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