Denver Nuggets Win Streak Stopped by Memphis Grizzlies

You can’t win ’em all…or so they say.  We knew it was a matter of time before the Denver Nuggets were dealt their next loss but it still stings.

I guess I didn’t expect that the Denver Nuggets wouldn’t lose a game ever again but this loss still seems wrong.  Maybe because it feels like the Nuggets beat themselves.  Memphis played well but they didn’t beat the Denver squad so much as endure a flat performance.

The win against the Celtics and Jamal Murray‘s super hot night were so exciting this Grizzlies match-up was almost doomed to be disappointing.  Although the Nuggets only lost by two points, there were some concerns in other areas.

The game was just flat.  By both sides, really.  No energy and a very slow pace gave the viewer the sense of being hypnotized rather than watching a head-to-head competitive sports competition.

The exception to all the doldrums was rookie Grizzly Jaren Jackson Jr.  He turned in 20 points and provided some much needed energy.  Marc Gasol also scored 20, including the game winning free throw points with only seconds left in the game.  Mike Conley was Mike Conley, he played a physical defense that ultimately was successful with the Memphis win.

I don’t want to undersell what the Grizzlies did defensively because they have done something nine other teams couldn’t so far but the Nuggets shot poorly.  Memphis didn’t necessarily hold the Nuggets so much as the Nuggets just didn’t play well.

Gary Harris scored 20 points and Jamal Murray 15, Trey Lyles was in double-digits.  So what went wrong?  Once again, super flat unenergetic play that doesn’t involve Nikola Jokic.

So where’s the Joker?  What’s the deal?  I haven’t seen any light shed on the matter but it doesn’t look great from here.  The style of this franchise right now is centered around him, such a delicate balance is worrisome.

The moral of the story is sometimes teams lose, too.  The Nuggets are still playing outstanding and we have places to go, I bet most teams have at least two losses.

Check out the Nuggets and the Nets on Friday, November 9.