Entry 10: "The Denver Nuggets Are First In The Western Conference"
After Defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, The Denver Nuggets Remain First In The West
By: Liz
October 28, 2023
In a tough battle, the Denver Nuggets remain on top of the league. Starting the 2023-24 2-0 is amazing for the defending champions, but with 80 games left to play, including the brand new In-Season Tournament, there is still a long road to travel down in order to reach the ultimate goal. However, with the way this team is looking, I whole-heartedly believe we have a repeat on our hands.
Onto the game, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 108-104, giving them their second victory of the regular season. Both teams weren’t playing to the best of their ability, Memphis because they’re missing some key players in Ja Morant (25 game suspension) and Steven Adams (inactive), and Denver… well, they just weren’t playing to the best of their ability, I can’t think of an excuse for them.
We’ll start with the very noticeable flaws, such as Nikola Jokić having nine turnovers, a rarity for him. Some incorrectly calculated passes, steals by Memphis, and traveling violations, nothing too major but some rookie mistakes Jokić doesn’t tend to make very often.
On Memphis’s side, Jaren Jackson Jr. ended with 21 PTS on 9/12 shooting [75%; 2/2 from the 3; ½ from the line] and 9 REB in a little over 28 minutes, Marcus Smart had 20 PTS on 7/13 shooting [roughly 54%; 3/3 from the line] and 5 AST in about 31 minutes, and Desmond Bane, who wasn’t having a great night, ended with 15 PTS on 4/17 shooting [roughly 24%; 1/10 from the 3; 6/6 from the line]. Memphis had 24 FTA and made 20 of them.
Now, as for Denver, their stats were a bit different, not quite what they were in the home-opener. Aaron Gordon had 10 PTS on 5/11 shooting [roughly 46%] and 3 STL in 30 minutes, Jamal Murray had 22 PTS on 7/17 shooting [41%; 4/9 from the 3] and 5 AST in about 34 minutes, and Nikola Jokić, despite his 9 turnovers, ended the night with 22 PTS on 8/14 shooting [57%; 5/6 from the line], 12 REB, and 7 AST, just shy of another triple-double.
However, in Denver’s case, the bench was what kept them alive during most of this game. Reggie Jackson had 16 PTS on 7/13 shooting [roughly 54%] and 6 AST in about 22 minutes, but the star of the game, in my opinion at least, was Peyton Watson. Ending his night with only 9 PTS [3/4 shooting, 75%], he had some HUGE blocks that tremendously helped the Nuggets seal their victory. Watson had some pressure from Malone to earn his minutes, and he definitely delivered.
Though this win was a tough one, going on until pretty much the last second, a win is a win and it keeps this team on top of the Western Conference. Can’t wait to see how the next game turns out.
References:
NBA.com (October 27, 2023) Jokić, Murray Lift Nuggets NBA https://www.nba.com/game/den-vs-mem-0022300078/box-score