Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets Game Preview

Tonight the Memphis Grizzlies square off against the Denver Nuggets. Tipoff is set for 7:00pm CST.

Memphis (19-18) looks to stay above .500 on the season as the Grizzlies welcome the Denver Nuggets (13-23) to FedExForum for the first matchup of the season between the two Western Conference foes. With both teams expecting multiple starters to miss out on tonight’s action, bench production will be the most critical factor in determining the outcome.

Who’s Out

Mike Conley (Achilles injury) and Courtney Lee (hip injury) could be possible game time decisions, although it is not expected either will play as Ronald Tillery reported for The Commercial Appeal that both starting guards are listed as doubtful. Reserve guard Jordan Adams is not an option and is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery next week.

Nuggets rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay has been banged up lately and missed Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mudiay may not be at 100 percent, and a return to the court tonight against Memphis is listed as questionable, according to reports from Harrison Wind of BSN Denver.

The Denver Post reports that Kenneth Faried will not be with the team in Memphis tonight, as Faried will be with family, attending the birth of his child.

The Guys in Beale Street Blue

With The Manimal listed as a non-participant and with the Grizzlies playing with fewer scoring options, the conditions could be perfect for a scoring outburst from Zach Randolph. Hopefully the Grizzlies will “Feed the hand” more tonight.

After a dispiriting loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week, Marc Gasol expressed that he needs to “be more assertive” and emphasized that he needs “to be a playmaker” in order for the Grizzlies’ offense to run effectively. Coming off of a disconcerting 2-for-11 shooting performance that only yielded a modest 8 points against the Thunder, it’s unthinkable that Gasol will struggle that much again tonight in front of a Friday night home crowd.

Expect Gasol to make a point of backing up his words and attacking the Nuggets’ defense with a reinvigorated approach. Grizzlies fans often pine for the incredibly gifted and versatile center to be more selfish or aggressive on offense, and with less weapons on the offensive end tonight,  it is a perfect opportunity for Big Spain to take over.

Mario Chalmers came off the bench and provided one of the few bright spots in the loss to the Thunder. Expect Rio, and also wing players like Tony Allen who can make a case for more minutes, to step up and make life hard for the visiting Nuggets. 

Elliot Williams could make his debut as Memphis Grizzly, and may get run at both guard positions and possibly at the three spot when Coach Joerger deploys smaller lineups.

The Other Guys

The Nuggets will need Danilo Gallinari to get buckets, lots of them. Gallinari leads the Nuggets in scoring this season, averaging 18 points per game, and tallied 20 points in Denver’s 78-74 win over the T-Wolves Wednesday night.

Former Memphis Tiger star Will Barton has quietly had a breakout season in Denver, averaging a career high 16.2 points for per game and a 19.2 PER on the season.

More from Beale Street Bears

• Dillon Brooks speaks out after beating former Grizzlies teammate in World Cup
• Jaren Jackson Jr. puts ex-Grizzlies teammate on notice
• 3 players Grizzlies would consider trading Ja Morant for
• Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. put on blast following FIBA elimination
• Ex-Grizzlies guard signs with title favorite, joins forces with 6-time All-Star

Tuning In

Tv: Fox Sports Southeast

Radio: WMFS 92.9 FM

And One

If you have tickets for this one, be sure to get downtown early. Tonight’s game features one of the more sought after promotional give-aways, seasonably appropriate Memphis Grizzlies scarfs for the first 3,000 fans to FedExForum.