The two best teams in the west are set to clash in front of a national audience tonight as the Memphis Grizzlies, who just had their seven-game winning streak snapped, remain on the road to take on the Denver Nuggets. It's still early in the season, but the Grizzlies currently hold a 1.0-game lead over the Nuggets for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Both of these teams are led by superstars, Ja Morant in Memphis and Nikola Jokic for Denver. This should be a fun battle and may wind up serving as a playoff series preview. We'll see who will take round one between these Western Conference titans.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Match Details
Fixture: Memphis Grizzlies @ Denver Nuggets
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 20, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Ball Arena
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Injury Report
The Denver Nuggets' injury report has a lot of names on it, including their superstar Nikola Jokic (knee), who is probable. Three of his teammates are questionable, those three being Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (leg), Jeff Green (back), and Jamal Murray (knee). Michael Porter Jr. (heel) is doubtful, while Colline Gillespie (leg) is out.
Memphis' injury report isn't quite as extensive, but both of their listed players are out. They are Desmond Bane (toe) and Danny Green (knee).
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Starting 5s
Grizzlies - PG: Ja Morant, SG: Dillon Brooks, SF: John Konchar, PF: Jaren Jackson Jr., C: Steven Adams
Nuggets - PG: Jamal Murray, SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SF: Bruce Brown, PF: Aaron Gordon, C: Nikola Jokic
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets, far as explosive as they are offensively, bleed just as many points on defense. They also have a ton of question marks about availability due to the health of many of their players tonight.
Meanwhile, Memphis has been incredible on both ends of the floor this month, which is why they've gone 7-1 despite Desmond Bane's injury. They should get more stops than Denver and have no problem scoring on them. The Nuggets will put up a good fight at home but ultimately fall short against the Grizzlies.
Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies -2.0 (-110)
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