MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In a season when NBA teams are scoring more and playing faster on offense, the Memphis Grizzlies are taking the opposite approach — relying on their defense.
That certainly proved successful Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Marc Gasol scored 20 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining, and Memphis edged the Nuggets 89-87 to end their five-game winning streak.
The Nuggets (9-2) had a chance after Gasol’s foul shots, but Nikola Jokic’s 3-point attempt bounced off the rim and Denver’s rebound tip was also off the mark.
The 87 points were a season low for the Nuggets, and the 176 points combined by the teams tied for the fewest in an NBA game this season.
“We knew it was going to be an ugly game if we were going to have a chance of winning,” Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. “We tried to get in the mud a little bit, be physical defensively and get the pace where we wanted it.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. also had 20 points for Memphis, and Kyle Anderson finished with 14. Gasol grabbed 12 rebounds.
Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 20 points, and Trey Lyles added 16 off the bench. Jamal Murray had 15 points and seven assists after scoring a career-best 48 in Monday night’s win over Boston.
Murray shot only 6 of 21 this time.
“I don’t know what it was, but the ball didn’t like me today,” Murray said.
Denver was up 83-82 before Memphis took the lead on a 3-pointer by Shelvin Mack with 1:45 left. Conley hit a floater with 40 seconds to go, but Lyles’ dunk and a 22-foot jumper by Murray tied it at 87 before Gasol’s winning free throws.
Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told his team he wanted to get back to a defensive mentality and force opponents to fight through low-scoring games if they want to beat the Grizzlies.
“That’s exactly what this win represents,” Memphis guard Garrett Temple said. “Holding this team — as hot as they’ve been — to 87 points at home ... it was a big win for us.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Murray was limited to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting in the first half. He missed his first four 3-pointers before converting one near the 9-minute mark of the third quarter. ... Jokic, who averages 11 shots a game, took just one — his 3-point try in the closing seconds. “I’ll have to look at the tape to see what they are doing for him to only take one shot,” coach Michael Malone said. “Obviously, I would like him to take more shots, but right now he isn’t shooting the ball and we will have to figure out why.”
