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Denver Nuggets: Previewing the Memphis game

By Michael Longhofer

hicago Bulls v Memphis GrizzliesMEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 15: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 932620592
hicago Bulls v Memphis GrizzliesMEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 15: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 932620592 /
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The Denver Nuggets travel to Memphis for a match up with the struggling Grizzlies.

The Denver Nuggets will kick off their big road trip at Memphis. The Grizzlies are in the midst of a 19-game losing streak and have lost 50 games on the season.  They are without their best back court player in Mike Conley but they have Tyreke Evans back from injury.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets prevailed 108-102 on March 2nd in the last meeting between the two teams.  The game was much closer than what was comfortable for the Nuggets and required some Gary Harris heroics to seal the victory.

Speaking of Harris, the Nuggets shooting guard has been downgraded to OUT for the game tonight, according to Chris Dempsey (Twitter @chrisdempsey).  Harris landed awkwardly on a breakaway dunk attempt and strained a ligament in his right knee.  As important as he is to the Nuggets fortunes on this road trip, expect that the Nuggets will be as cautious as they can be with Harris.

The Grizzlies are 13-23 at home while the Nuggets have an 11-21 road record.  Memphis averages 98.7 points-per-game while the Nuggets put up 109.3.

The Nuggets leading scorer is Gary Harris with 17.7ppg. Behind him is Nikola Jokic at 17.2.  Jokic has become a triple-double threat, every game.  The Grizzlies are led by Evans’ 19.5 points per game.

This marks the beginning of a brutal, season-long seven game road trip for the visiting Nuggets.  The first three; Memphis, Miami and Chicago are as must-win as the Nuggets have ever seen.  Those contests will be needed both to build momentum and to give Gary Harris’ knee time to recover.  The road trip finishes with four games in seven days.  Starting Friday in Washington, the Nuggets then have a back-to-back with the Sixers and Toronto before wrapping up in Oklahoma City.

This game should give us an idea about where the Nuggets heads are and what we can expect out of a playoff push.  Win big and all is well.  Lose or struggle and the hand-wringing will last us until the end of the regular season.

The four seed is still out there.  As dismal as it’s seemed lately, the Nuggets could reasonably secure a home-court series in the first round.

Next: Unheralded Players: Part two

They just have to want to.

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