Grizzlies v. Nuggets Preview

Colin Rafferty –

Your Memphis Grizzlies take on the Denver Nuggets tonight at FedEx Forum and as Dory said in Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

The Grizz are on a two-game win streak and are looking to make it a true winning streak tonight.

The Nuggets come into Memphis with a 12-4 record and are currently 3rd in the Western Conference standings. They are top 3 in total offense and point differential, along with being top 10 defense.

This will be a very tall task for the Grizz but with Zach Edey and company playing better ball, they might be able to edge out a win.

News from the Grizzlies PR team came in yesterday, as the team announced they would be signing Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract. Bufkin was the 15th overall pick for the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, coming out of Michigan.

He has only appeared in two games for the NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers, averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 28.7 minutes of play.

Bufkin will be placed on a 10-day hardship exception, while the Grizzlies continue to deal with the injury bug plaguing the guards.

The Nuggets come into the game after a tough loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Nikola Jokic put up a massive 44-point, 13 rebound, 7 assist night, with Jamal Murray contributing a cool 23 points and 9 assists.

They are a bigger team on average versus the Grizzlies, so they will need to make sure the rebounding battle is not on the side of the Nuggets.

Guys like Jokic and former Grizz fan favorite, Jonas Valanciunas, will be crashing the boards all night; Edey will need to be very active on the defensive and offensive glass.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game. If I know the Grizzlies, and I do, we might not see him for a few more games.

The importance right now is health. If guys aren’t ready to go 110%, they won’t play them.

If the Kings can beat the Nuggets at home, then the Grizzlies should have a swinging chance inside their own den.

All hands on-deck; Santi, Edey, Cedric, and Vince, I’m looking at you guys to make a statement.

There was a lot of talk after the win over the Mavericks, let me remind you, it is a game. If you can’t handle trash talk, don’t start it.

So what if Ja isn’t on the court, he stands up for his guys. Remember when he wasn’t “involved” on the bench and all these “fans” wanted him more engaged.

You got it, so don’t act like he needs to “grow up” now. He’s excited and happy his team is winning. If you think that was childish, go watch every other sporting event in the world and see how petty players act.

To the Mav’s vet guard, formerly on the Warriors, play better and you wouldn’t have guys yapping.

Tip-off is at 7 PM CST, get your tickets and come out to cheer on the Grizz before the go on a three-game road trip. Don’t forget to wear the bear!