Beale Street Bears
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Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets Preview

By Stacy Elliott

Jan 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) handles the ball against Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Denver Nuggets 91 - 84. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) handles the ball against Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Denver Nuggets 91 - 84. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Memphis Grizzlies travel to the Mile-High City to take on the Denver Nuggets. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM CST.

The Grizzlies are on a three-game winning streak and have won five of their last six games and hope to repeat their recent success against Denver. When the Nuggets came to Memphis a couple weeks ago, the Grizzlies bullied their way to a 91-84 victory. The Nuggets were missing Kenneth Faried and starting rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay while the Grizzlies were without starting point guard Mike Conley last time, but tonight both teams should be able to put their best foot forward and make this a competitive game.

Injury Updates: Who’s out for the Grizzlies?

Tony Allen (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game, Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal reports.

Who’s out for the Nuggets?

Jusuf Nurkic did not play in Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but should be available for tonight’s game.

Keys to the game for the guys in Beale Street Blue

The Nuggets are better than their record, but no one is mistaking them for the Warriors or Spurs. Last time the Grizzlies battled it out and beat the Nuggets with some classic Grit-and-Grind. Zach Randolph had one his best games of the season against the Nuggets last time, but didn’t have to go up agains Kenneth Faried. The Grizzlies could really use another big game from Zach Randolph to tip the frontcourt scales in favor of the Grizzlies.

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Tony Allen has been on the upswing since the last time he played against Denver, and if he is able to play, the Grizzlies could use his signature toughness and effort to create turnovers and fastbreaks.

Mike Conley seems to be recovering from his achilles injury, and the Grizzlies would love for their veteran point guard to take advantage of a matchup against a talented but inexperienced counterpart in Emmanuel Mudiay.

After a stretch of poor play, Marc Gasol reemerged against the Knicks with one of the strongest scoring efforts of his career. Gasol followed up that performance with a solid game against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans on Monday’s Martin Luther King Day game. If Gasol can sustain the positive momentum it would certainly help the Grizzlies in Denver.

Keys for the other guys

Will Barton is having the best year of his career, and I will always bring up Will Barton as a key for the Nuggets because he’s a Memphis Tiger alum and his game is undeniably fun to watch. This season Barton has really come out of his shell with a fearless and creative playing style that has bordered on the verge of out-of-control, and also the verge of AND-1 Mix-Tape flare.

Another positive for the Nuggets, it will be nice to have Mudiay and The Manimal back for this round versus the Grizzlies.

Tuning In

Where it’s at: Pepsi Center, Denver Colorado

TV: Fox Sports Southeast

Radio: WMFS 92.9 FM

For more on the Grizzlies’ opponent tonight, be sure to visit our Fansided affiliate, Nugg Love.

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