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The last time the Nuggets played the Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Malone was still calling the shots in both November match-ups, the series stood at 1-1 with Memphis winning the first slot (Nov. 17th) and Denver taking home the second season series win on Nov. 19th, both in Memphis. Now in the ‘Post Malone’ era, the Nuggets hold one win under their belt with interim head coach David Aldelman after losing the previous four straight games.
Jamal Murray is listed as doubtful as he continues to nurse his right hamstring surgery for the rest of the regular season. This didn’t stop Christian Braun from stepping up and putting up serious numbers with a 25/4/2 stat line while playing 37 minutes against Sacramento. Nikola Jokic said following this win, he ‘unleashed a beast’ when asked about moving on in the direction without Malone as a play caller. The 3-time MVP recorded his 33rd triple-double of the season as well and shot close to 42% from the field.
The Nuggets are -7.0 favorites while Memphis goes on the road as a +7.0 Dog. I think the Nuggets are going to be adding to the momentum they’ve created last game and lock in another win for the last home game at Ball Arena @ 7:10 MST.
Christian Braun Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (+145 on Bet365)
When he’s hot, he stays hot consistently with a bigger offensive presence with other starters out with injury. In just the last three games, he has been 3/5, 3/3, & 3/7 against the spread in the last 10 games. With Jamal being sidelined again, this opens up more room on the perimeter to lock in on some shots. As a whole, the Nuggets shot 38.2% on the arc.
Nikola Jokic Over 53.5 Points+ Rebounds + Assists (-115 on Bet365)
If Jokic continues to play as Jokic even without Jamal Murray in the lineup, this can easily cash in with the other factors put into play. For starters, Memphis is playing on a back-to-back, concluding a 141-125 loss to Minnesota. Jokic continues to effortlessly put up aggressive stat lines without his point guard, Jamal Murray in the mix. The Serbian giant averages 36 points, 12 rebounds, and close to 10 assists, which combine to a 58.8 average PRA. Which coincides with the same timeline of Murray out of the lineup.
Written by Taylor Sadusky @royaltayjds
