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Grizzlies bear down on Nuggets

The Grizzlies defeated the Denver Nuggets 99-69 Thursday night in a nationally televised showdown on TNT at FedExForum. The victory extended Memphis’ home winning streak to four and overall winning streak to five. Memphis has won their last two games by a combined 59 points and tonight’s effort was the largest margin of victory for the season. The Grizzlies are also now 20-7 against the Western Conference.

Zach Randolph (15 points, 17 rebounds) continued his torrid streak of double-doubles, notching his 11th double-digit point and rebound effort in as many games since his return for a nine-game absence due a sore right knee. Randolph led the team in both categories and continued his career-long streak of double-digit rebounds with his 17th straight game.

All Grizzlies starters scored in double-digits, including Beno Udrih (11 points, three assists), who replaced Mike Conley for second straight game due to a left wrist injury. Nick Calathes had his second straight double-digit scoring effort with 11 points on 5-of-10 (.500 shooting) and added a team-high five assists in 25 minutes of play.

With 5:20 remaining in the second quarter, Vince Carter was removed from the game with a left foot injury and did not return.

Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried both scored 10 points for Denver on a combined 10-of-22 (.456) shooting. Ty Lawson added nine points and six assists.

The Nuggets had a tough shooting night, going 29-of-87 (.333) from the field and 2-of-26 (.077) from beyond the arc, both of which marked a Grizzlies opponent season low. Denver’s 69 points also tied an opponent season-low matching Charlotte’s point total from Nov. 1.

With tonight’s victory the season series stands at 1-1 after a 114-85 loss at Denver on Jan. 3. The third and final matchup between the two clubs will occur on March 16 at FedExForum.

Memphis will go toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the much-improved Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday Jan. 31 at 7pm (CT) at FedExForum. Following what promises to be a historical showdown on Saturday, the Grizzlies will embark on a three-game road trip to Phoenix (Feb. 2), Utah (Feb. 4) and Minnesota (Feb. 6). Memphis is 8-3 (.727) on the road when facing Western Conference teams.

Key Stat of the Night

  • Denver scored 69 points on 29-of-87 shooting (.333) tonight after posting 114 points on 41-of-79 shooting (.519) in the first matchup between the two teams on Jan. 3... Denver also only made two of its 26 three-point attempts (.077)... Both field goal percentages were Grizzlies opponent’s season lows, and the 69 points tied a Grizzlies opponent’s low.

Key Run of the Night

  • With 6:37 remaining in the third quarter and the score at 60-43 Memphis, the Grizzlies went on a 14-6 run led by a three-pointer by Jeff Green to close out the quarter giving Memphis a 25-point lead... The Nuggets never led… The closest the team got was 4-2 with 10:37 remaining in the first quarter.

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