We just got word that Nikola Jokic will miss his third game this week due to personal issues. This comes as Denver continues to struggle without him. Losing their last two games to the Pelicans and Memphis over the weekend. This game could have long-reaching consequences coming against Western Conference rivals. The Grizzlies won’t be 100% for this game either, as Ja Morant and Marcus Smart will be out tonight. We expect this to be an interesting matchup as the Nugget desperately needs to show any signs of life without their MVP.
With Nikola Jokic out, this game becomes more one-sided. The Grizzlies were able to take the first game against the Nuggets on Sunday easily. This game will likely depend on Jamal Murray and his gameplay. A considerable controversy developed around Murray this weekend, with Murray flying to New York to watch the UFC 309 fights on Saturday and then flying back for the game on Sunday. This most likely affected his performance as he had one of his worst games of the year on Sunday, likely due to his excursion. This all comes when the Nuggets need one of their starters to step up and cover for an absent Jokic.
So far, Murray hasn’t been that guy, and his lackluster beginning to the season only emphasizes his slump lately. We hope to see him bounce back today, as other players like Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun have elevated their play. We’re still skeptical this team can make it over the hump today, though, as Memphis overwhelmed them Sunday. Unless Murray can turn it around tonight, we expect a repeat of Sunday.
Memphis has had its fair share of early injuries his year again. We were so excited to see this roster back together, only to have nagging injuries break up this roster from day one. Despite their setbacks, they still have an 8-6 record, with some breakout finds on their roster. Scotty Pippen Jr, son of the great Scotty Pippen, has surprised us by filling in for Morant. He has scored the ball well, averaging 11 points a game on significant shooting splits.
Along with Pippen, the rookie Jaylen Wells has become a significant player in the rookie of the year race, with some great performances, including 15 against Denver on Sunday. This team has been surprisingly resilient through the injuries so far, and we like how deep this team will be when their player returns. Overall, we expect Memphis to dominate this matchup with its size and speed. Without Jokic, this Denver team looks like a husk and will likely continue to slip in the West.
Scotty Pippen Jr 15+ Points: With the other two leading guards out and Desmond Bane’s shooting falling a bit this year, Pippen has an opportunity tonight. We think he could have a prominent role in this offense and see his attempt numbers increase. Considering he shot well below his averages against Denver on Sunday and still had 10 points, 15 is very doable.
Jaren Jackson Jr. 30+ Combined Points + Rebounds: JJJ will have a massive role in tonight's game. With Zach Edey out, he’ll have to do a little bit of everything tonight. We could easily see him grab 10+ boards tonight and have a large role on the offense, too. 30+ combined rebounds and points could happen very quickly for him!
Jaren Jackson Jr 3+ Blocks: In the same thought process, with Zach Edey out, JJJ will be the primary post defender. His ability to stay mobile and affect shots is precisely why he was defensive player of the year. Now facing a Jokic-less Nuggets roster, he’ll have plenty of opportunity to reject some shots!