NBA Update: Nuggets edge out the Grizzlies 108-107 in a tightly contested match
Memphis Grizzlies had lost 23 of the previous 24 meetings at the Pepsi Center against the Denver Nuggets, being outscored them 11.4 points per game, and the odds were heavily stacked against the visitors coming into this game as well.
The Nuggets are the best in the West, when it comes to winning at home. Trying to improve on 9-1 record, the Nuggets were well on their way till the half time before the Grizzlies inflicted a third quarter meltdown on their more fancied opponents to make
the things interesting.
Leading by 15 at the midway mark, the Nuggets coughed up their advantage to go in the final quarter trailing by three but used a 13-4 run down the stretch to pull off a single point win in a thrilling encounter.
First Quarter
The Nuggets hit the ground running as they had all the initial momentum. With the score at 9-6 in their advantage, the Nuggets reeled of a 20-6 spurt to establish their stranglehold on the match.
Second Quarter
The first quarter ended with the score at 33-16 and the Nuggets continued to turn the screws on the Grizzlies in the second. Al Harrington made a jumper and Melvin Ely followed it with tip shot to hand the Nuggets a 37-16 advantage, their biggest of the
match.
The Grizzlies started to gather some pace as they led the scoring thereafter and a Mike Conley jump shot slashed the deficit to 13 points with 47 seconds left till the break. The Nuggets had a strong ending though as they roped in five straight points within
a span of 15 seconds and the teams went into the locker room with the score at 62-47.
Third Quarter
The Nuggets missed twelve of their first 15 shots coming into the second half as the Grizzlies started to rally back. With the scores at 71-56 four minutes into the third quarter the Grizzlies sprinted to 21-3 run to stun the Nuggets and a Mike Conley free
throw made it 77-74 in their advantage. Shelden Williams made a tip shot just before the buzzer to make it a single point game entering the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter
After a horrific third period that included a technical on Carmelo Anthony for arguing a call, the Nuggets managed to restore some sanity in the fourth. J.R. Smith layup with 10:24 left on the clock handed the lead to the Nuggets again and Denver followed
it with a 13-4 match defining run, capped by an Arron Afflalo triple pointer, to create a 91-85 barrier.
The teams entered the final minute with Denver maintaining advantage at 101-98. Afflalo nailed in a crucial three pointer to increase the Nuggets advantage but Rudy g*y and Mike Conley slipped two buckets in 30 seconds to send chills down the spine of the
Denver outfit.
5.9 seconds were in the game but it wasn’t decided yet. Carmelo Anthony saw nobody was deep down the court and lobbed a long pass to Nene, whose rim-rattling slam again made it a four-point game.
It wasn't over yet, however. Conley's inbounds pass was dunked by Xavier Henry with 5.3 seconds left to again bring the Grizzlies within striking distance but Chauncey Billups was crucially fouled with 4.8 seconds remaining. He showed nerves of steel and
sank both for a 108-104 lead before Mike Conley slipped in 3-pointer in the last second as the match ended at 108-107.
Match Stats
Nene nailed 27 points and Arron Afflalo had 25 as they made up for a bad shooting night from Carmelo Anthony, who was just 4 of 20 from the floor and finished with 13 points.
Rudy g*y led the charge for the Grizzlies with 24 points to continue his excellent season while Zach Randolph had 18 points and 12 boards and Mike Conley finished with 19.
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