Jameer Nelson had 24 points and Randy Foye added 16 but the Nuggets (26-42) fell to the Memphis Grizzlies (47-20) 92-81 to snap their four-game winning streak Monday night.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies in what was a low-scoring and relatively slow-paced affair – which benefited Memphis and their big bruisers down low. With Kenneth Faried on resting, Memphis out-rebounded the Nuggets 57-37 on the night.
The Nuggets were also without point guard Ty Lawson and forward Danilo Gallinari, both of whom interim head coach also decided to give the night off.
Even without their three best players, the Nuggets put up a decent fight against Memphis. Denver was down ten with about just under eight minutes to go, when Nelson, forward J.J. Hickson, and guard Gary Harris teamed up to score twelve straight points and bring the Nuggets to even. Just as impressive was holding Memphis to just two Marc Gasol free throws over that same stretch.
But minus their three best players, the Nuggets couldn’t piece any offensive together down the final five minutes. Nelson nailed a jumper with 1:30 left, but other than that, Denver was held scoreless under five minutes thanks to the Grizzlies excellent defense.
The only other Nuggets in double-figures was Wilson Chandler, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. For Memphis, Marc Gasol finished with 14 points despite being bothered by Denver rookie center Jusuf Nurkic enough to shoot just 4-13, and Tony Allen finished chipped in 14 points.
The Nuggets will look to start another winning streak after a couple days off against the Rockets in Houston. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT on Thursday.
Zach Marburger is a staff writer for Mile High Sports. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @BurchBurger.
