Grizzlies 99, Nuggets 69: Zach Randolph collected 15 points and 17 rebounds to lead the way as Memphis blew out visiting Denver.
Jeff Green scored 13 points for the Grizzlies, who have won five straight. Beno Udrih, Courtney Lee and Nick Calathes added 11 points apiece and Marc Gasol scored 10 as Memphis dominated despite playing without point guard Mike Conley (wrist).
Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler each scored 10 points for the Nuggets, who have dropped eight of their last nine. Denver shot 33.3 percent from the field and 2-of-26 from 3-point range en route to a season low for points.
The Nuggets missed 16 of their last 17 shots in the first quarter while Memphis reeled off a 13-2 run to take control. The margin never dipped into single digits again, as the Grizzlies led 50-35 at the break and pushed the lead to 21 early in the third quarter.
Denver endured another long drought at the end of the third quarter, going more than four minutes between field goals as Memphis extended the lead to 27 before settling for a 74-49 lead entering the fourth. Calathes scored back-to-back buckets and Kosta Koufos knocked down a jumper during an 8-0 burst to stretch the margin to 86-53 midway through the fourth quarter before the Grizzlies coasted to the finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Randolph has recorded 11 straight double-doubles and collected at least 10 rebounds in 17 consecutive games. … Nuggets C JaVale McGee saw his first action since Dec. 5, scoring two points in 15 minutes. … Memphis SG Vince Carter injured his left foot late in the second quarter and will have an MRI exam on Friday.
Denver | Memphis | |
Wilson Chandler 10 | Scoring | Zach Randolph 15 |
Ty Lawson 6 | Assists | Nick Calathes 5 |
Kenneth Faried 7 | Rebounds | Zach Randolph 17 |
Ty Lawson 3 | Free Throws Made | Jeff Green 3 |
Darrell Arthur 1 | Steals | Jon Leuer 2 |
Darrell Arthur 1 | Blocks | Jordan Adams 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Denver | 69 | 33.3 | 2-26 | 9-10 | 19 | 47 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
Memphis | 99 | 44.3 | 3-16 | 18-27 | 17 | 57 | 4 | 8 | 9 |