Denver @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 28, 2019 ) Denver 95, Memphis 92

The Denver Nuggets shook off a rare setback by turning the defense up in a 101-93 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The Nuggets will make a brief appearance on the road before a four-game homestand when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Denver held opponents under 100 points in each contest during a four-game winning streak before letting up in a 125-121 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday and buckled back down against the Nets, limiting them to 37.9 percent from the floor and 8-of-38 from beyond the arc. "That's who we are," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "I thought our defense got us going and ignited our break. We started to rebound and run more. Defend, rebound and run." The Grizzlies are starting to come together with wins in the last three games, all by four or fewer points. "I think it's a change in our mentality," Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters. "I think our guys are starting to get more confidence in how we want to play. They've been a competitive bunch from the start, but they're starting to realize how we have to compete at a higher level each possession, each quarter."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (8-3): Veteran forward Paul Millsap scored in double figures in each of the last five contests and delivered 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting and nine rebounds in Thursday's triumph. "Paul is playing at a really high level for us," Malone told reporters. "I felt going into (Thursday), we had to establish Paul early. We knew we were going to have to guard so much small ball. I thought he got us going tonight early." Millsap partners on a formidable frontline with star center Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 21 points over the last four contests.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (5-7): Rookie point guard Ja Morant enjoyed an uptick in production over the last two games, following up a pair of single-digit scoring efforts with 20-plus points in each of the last two. The No. 2 overall draft pick came up big in Friday's 107-106 win over the Utah Jazz, collecting 25 points and eight assists while outplaying former Memphis point guard Mike Conley. "I'm just having fun," Morant told reporters. "My teammates and the coaches just allow me to go out there and play freely and do what I do."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets SG Malik Beasley (illness) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Grizzlies SG Dillon Brooks is averaging 18.7 points over the last three contests.

3. Denver took two of the three meetings last season, including a 95-92 triumph at Memphis in which Jokic scored 24 points.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 102, Grizzlies 97