Denver Nuggets Snap Losing Streak, Defeat Memphis Grizzlies

Jan 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Randy Foye (4) keeps the ball from Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen (9) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets snapped their eight-game losing streak Friday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 111-108. Denver’s bench came to play as they combined for 49 points. Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Miller missed the game-tying three-point attempt late in the game that hit the back of the rim and bounced out, preserving Denver’s win.

Ty Lawson was aggressive early in the game and it would prove throughout. The guard would shoot 6-of-12 from the field with 18 points as he collected a double-double with 12 assists. He would also record 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. The Nuggets as a team would shoot 43-of-80 from the field, 53.8% percent while the Memphis Grizzlies shot 37-of-76, 48.7% percent.

Timofey Mozgov, Nate Robinson, and Evan Fournier were all spark plugs off of the bench for the Denver Nuggets. Mozgov has been off-and-on for the Nuggets this season and hasn’t shown any consistency. The Russian would shoot 7-of-9 from the field with 16 points and would collect 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Robinson on the other hand shot fairly well, knocking down 5-of-10 shots including 3-for-5 behind-the-arc, finishing with 15 points and 7 assists. Fournier has rarely seen the court this year due to inconsistency as well and impressed. The guard would shoot 4-8 from the field, knocking down a three-pointer, finishing with 12 points.

Denver took the lead heading into halftime by the score of 58-48 as they looked impressive, they would be outscored in the third quarter however, 27-19 led by power forward Zach Randolph. Randolph finished the game with a game-high 25 points, adding 13 rebounds with 2 assists. It seemed as if Denver would concede the lead yet again but came back in the fourth, outscoring Memphis 34-33. Mike Conley would play well for Memphis, knocking down 8-of-15 shots, 3-of-5 from downtown with 23 points.

Kenneth Faried was the x-factor for the Denver Nuggets tonight, as the power forward would play in 29 minutes of action. Faried was an efficient 7-of-8 from the field, going a perfect 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. The Manimal would record 16 points while pulling down 6 rebounds, 2 of which were offensive. Incase you didn’t know, Andre Miller served game one of his two game suspension Friday night as the guard was suspended for Conduct Detrimental to the Team.

The Denver Nuggets (15-17) will head on the road, taking on the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night at the Staples Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, 7:30 PM MT.