- Analysis
- The Memphis Grizzlies lost 132-110 to the Hawks on Nov 26, giving them a 9-10 record. However, the Grizzlies have gone 22-6 since. They are now 31-16 (No. 3 seed in the West), two games back of the Warriors and 5-1/2 games back of the Suns. Memphis was considered a team on the rise before the season began but it is now obvious its ascension has arrived sooner than expected. The Nuggets have had their issues, mostly with injuries and illnesses, and welcome the Grizzlies to Denver just 23-20, good enough for teh No. 6 in the West. The Nuggets are FIVE back of the No. 4 seed but well clear of the No. 11 seed (last team to miss the play-in round).
The Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Lakers twice, took down the Golden State at home and topped the Phoenix Suns on the road during an 11-game winning streak from Dec 26 through Jan 13. However, they have lost TWO of three coming. Memphis didn't have Dillon Brooks (ankle) against the Bucks, and Desmond Bane was placed in health and safety protocol. Brooks (18.4 PPG) and Bane (17.7 & 4.4) are second and third, respectively, on the team in scoring behind Ja Morant (24.7-5.8-6.9).
Denver is coming off a 130-128 overtime win Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, as Nikola Jokic (25.9-13.9-7.4) delivered his 10th triple-double of the season with 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. The last assist came on Aaron Gordon's tiebreaking three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime. PF Gordon (14.4 & 5.6) has been a steady presence, as has swingman Barton (15.0-4.8-4.1), PG Morris (12.7 & 4.2 APG) has assumed Murray's role as PG, who has yet to play, after averaging 21.2-4.0-4.8 last season. Some good news is that the Nuggets acquired Bryn Forbes from San Antonio in a three-team deal that was finalized Wednesday, with the hope he can provide much-needed outside shooting. Forbes won a title last year with the Bucks before returning to the Spurs in the offseason (he's averaging 9.1 PPG and shooting 41.7% on threes).
Just maybe, the Grizzlies are about to 'cool off' some and the Nuggets are about to make a 'push!' in fact, that's my bet. Lay the 'short' price.
Good luck...Larry
