5 Game Summary
Although the Nuggets couldn't get the same lineup for each game, it still ended up being a pretty good five game run. It started off a bit patchy, with a loss to the Bulls in Chicago. The Nuggets won at home against Memphis, but then lost against the Timberwolves in the following game. Luckily for the Nuggets, the Magic were abysmal and the Kings were without their star centre.
Since the Grizzlies are highly ranked in the West, I've decided to make the Memphis game the feature.
Just when I think I know how to take these photos... *sigh*
Even though the Nuggets were missing four key players, they came away with a 105-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Both JaVale McGee and J.J. Hickson were listed as inactive, while Kenneth Faried and Gary Harris do not play due to injury.
Wilson Chandler embraced a larger role on offense, scoring a game-high 25 points for the Nuggets. Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams also contributed with 13 points each, while Erick Green (11) and Nate Robinson (10) made the most of their extended minutes.
The Grizzlies got a great performance out of Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. Conley had 21 points and 8 assists, while Randolph registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Unfortunately for Memphis, they were the only two who could make a significant impact on the night, as Vince Carter (15) was the only other double-digit scorer for the Grizzlies.
MEM@DEN
DEN: 105
(Chandler 25, Afflalo 13, Williams 13)
MEM: 92
(Conley 21, Randolph 20, Carter 15)
Jordan Player of the Game: Wilson Chandler 25 points (9-13 FG) 6 rebounds 4 assists
Rebounds
DEN: Gallinari, Nurkic 9
MEM: Randolph 11
Assists
DEN: Lawson 12
MEM: Conley 8
Last 5 Games
@CHI: 105-98 L
MEM: 105-92
@MIN: 94-90 L
ORL: 103-75 W
@SAC: 92-87 W
Overall: 24-13
Wilson Chandler was the star of this summary. As well as his POTG performance in the feature, he scored 29 points in the Nuggets loss to the Timberwolves.
Derrick Williams made the most of his extended playing time against the Magic. He had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. We're finally getting to see his potential at the NBA level.
J.J. Hickson was a welcome return against the Kings. Against the team that waived him, Hickson put up 19 points, 6 rebounds and a block.
Jusuf Nurkic was another player who initially got extended minutes amidst all the injuries. He had 14 points in the loss against the Bulls. Unfortunately, he ended up joining the injury ward just a few games after.
Injuries
Ty Lawson - Sprained Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Next 5 Games
DAL
@DAL
MIN
@GSW
SAN