Nuggets expect Jusuf Nurkic back against Marc Gasol, Grizzlies

The Denver Nuggets welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to Pepsi Center for their fifth game in nine days and game No. 5 of a season long eight-game home stand. The Nuggets went 3-2 over the first five games of their lengthy stay in Denver, a positive especially with the quality of opponents they’ve faced. Denver beat Charlotte, then overcame Golden State in memorable fashion. The Nuggets then suffered a heartbreaking loss to Miami, before putting away the Pacers and falling to the Thunder earlier this week.

After Denver hosts Memphis tonight, Detroit on Saturday and Atlanta on Monday, the Nuggets will have played seven straight games against current playoff teams.

Gallinari’s inconsistencies 

There’s no doubt that on the surface Danilo Gallinari’s been balling out since he returned from a sprained right ankle that cost him six games in late December. The Italian is averaging 24.2 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting from the field and 35.6 percent from three, bringing his 3-point percentage up to a respectable 36.6 percent on the year since he’s been back in the lineup these past nine games.

With Will Barton‘s recent struggles on the offensive end, Gallo’s been carrying the scoring load for the Nuggets lately. However, his offensive prowess has been littered by the same inconsistencies which have marred Gallinari his entire career.

Through these last nine games, Gallinari’s averaging an astounding 8.9 points in first quarter, a mark which would make him the highest scoring first quarter player in the league this season. In the second quarter his average dips to 4.8, then rises to 7.8 in the third, but falls again to an eye-scratching 2.6 in the fourth quarter.

How is Denver’s best offensive option only scoring 2.6 points per fourth quarter with the game hanging in the balance and the Nuggets needing baskets?

You could point to fatigue, as the Nuggets after tonight will have played five games in the last nine days and Gallinari’s averaging a career high 35.5 minutes in this recent stretch. You could also cite defenses zeroing in on Gallo at the end of games; considering the few go-to options the Nuggets have late in games, and how predictable the Denver offense can be in the fourth quarter.

“His scoring and his productivity can be dominant early and then sometimes it’s not there late,” Malone said after Denver fell to Oklahoma City 110-104 earlier this week. “I’m sure he can do a better job and I have to as a head coach, make sure I’m putting him in maybe better positions to score more consistently.”

Gallinari scored two points on just three fourth quarter shots against the Thunder.

Nurkic vs. Gasol

Jusuf Nurkic wasn’t active for Denver’s first matchup with Marc Gasol and Memphis this season, but is available to play versus with Grizzlies this time around.

Of course, we all remember the memorable time they shared on the court together last year.

Nurkic played in six straight games after returning from offseason knee surgery this summer and played well for the Nuggets, elevating Denver’s defense 13.3 points per 100 possessions in the mere 42 minutes he’s been on the court this season.

Nurkic had a scary fall against Golden State where he injured his ankle, but also experienced left knee soreness and was held out for Denver’s next two games versus Miami and Indiana. Nurkic was available to play against Oklahoma City, but hadn’t had the chance to practice.

“He hasn’t done anything in six days. So, I’m not going to put somebody out there who hasn’t practiced or gone through shoot around,” Malone said. “So we’ll try to get him out there on Thursday.”

Nurkic was allegedly on a 10-15 minute limit against the Thunder, but it was ultimately Malone’s call to leave him on the bench. Look for Nurkic to get around 15-20 minutes versus the Memphis frontline tonight.