Nuggets-Grizzlies Grades: Smacked

The Denver Nuggets started out their seven-game road trip in the worst way possible. The Nuggets fell 101-94 to the Memphis Grizzlies who had lost 19 in a row before Saturday night’s win. Denver fell behind 34-17 in the first quarter and could never recover despite outscoring Memphis 77-67 throughout the rest of the game.

Here’s how every Nuggets played fared in the loss to the Grizzlies.

*Our game grades are dictated by our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which take into account 12 different statistical factors.

Jamal Murray (C-) 52.40 — Without Gary Harris, who Nuggets coach Michael Malone said could miss three or four games, the Nuggets needed their second-year point guard to step up. Murray flashed in spots Saturday against the Grizzlies but ended up scoring 16 points on just 5-18 shooting. Murray also shot 1-8 from three and was 3-10 on uncontested field goals.

Will Barton (D) 43.52 — Harris’ replacement in the starting lineup didn’t fare well either. Barton’s been inconsistent on the offensive end of the floor in March and finished with eight points on 3-12 shooting. He was also a team-worst minus-14 in 34 minutes.

Wilson Chandler (C-) 51.47 — Chandler was solid on the offensive and chipped in 10 points on 4-7 shooting. He was steady on defense as always. Denver could have used a more aggressive Chandler on offense though.

Paul Millsap (C-) 50.86 — Millsap, who’s now played 10 games since returning from a left wrist injury that sidelined the four-time All-Star for four months, scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Memphis. His defense helped limit the Grizzlies to 101 points on 40.7 percent shooting. Usually, that would be enough for a win.

Nikola Jokic (B-) 68.72 — Jokic didn’t shoot efficiently (5-15 FG’s) but still found a way to score a team-high 17 points. Jokic also grabbed 12 rebounds but only dished out two assists. As a team, Denver tallied just 17 assists on 32 made baskets. The Nuggets average 24.9 assists per game.

Devin Harris (C) 57.38 — Denver’s backup point guard gave the Nuggets some good minutes off the bench and finished with 10 points and hit two of his four three-point attempts in 26 minutes. Harris finished a team-high plus-eight and if he can consistently hit from three, Denver’s bench will be in better shape with Barton getting starters minutes.

Trey Lyles (C) 57.46 — Lyles has rebounded nicely from an ugly offensive stretch earlier in the month to shoot efficiently in back-to-back games. He chipped in 12 points off Denver’s bench against Memphis on 5-10 shooting. The 20 minutes was also the most Lyles has logged since Millsap returned to the lineup.

Mason Plumlee (C+) 60.94 — The result of Lyles garnering more minutes is that Plumlee has his minutes decrease. If teams play two traditional centers, Plumlee will get more playing time, but he logged only 11 minutes against Memphis. Plumlee went scoreless but grabbed four rebounds and handed out three assists.

Torrey Craig (C) 57.48 — Craig showed well in his first game in over a month. He finished with nine points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. Expect Craig to stick in the rotation as long as he has days remaining on his two-way contract which allows him 45 days with the Nuggets this season. After the G League season ends on March 24, Craig can be with the team on a full-time basis until the playoffs. He’s not eligible for the postseason roster.