After all these years, Gasol & Conley still represent the Jaws & Claws of this season's Bear attack.

And this match-up of similarly skilled big men remains the focal point.

Keepin' the seat warm for Barton, who seems to be in a best case time-frame in terms of returning from an injury that required surgery. He should be back in the lineup by around December 15th.

Nuggets vs Memphis: The gold rush hits the road vs the Blue Bears.

At the risk of putting too fine a a point on it, with Kyrie Irving doubling down while Jamal Murray takes the retrospective high-road, my two cents in Jamal's defense seem warranted. Kyrie is STILL flapping his gums about how petty the since-contrite and silent azure-archer was, in attempting a three that would have put him over the 50 point mark in Monday night's game. Where was the feigned disgust in the sham that was Klay Thompson's second half chuckery, while it was he chasing a record with a 50+ point lead last week I wonder?

I feel that with Irving's damage done, given the mismanagement of his platform in the past, he's forfeited the right to have the last word on any matter. As such, it is my duty to mention the following:

Fortunately for all involved, the ball he hurled 50 rows deep into the Canned-crowd, is shaped like a sphere and was rotating, so his antics in this case were ineffectual to a captive audience. Had the ball been flat, like say an arrow, perhaps a Blue Arrow, real damage might have been done, as has been the case for Irving previously. Instead, Kyrie's chaos was quieted and counteracted, by a score of 31-48. Here's a tip: Play some D.

On to the matter at hand. When last these two teams squared off in game 70 of last season, Denver enjoyed double figure TPM contributions from just two players, led by Nikola Jokic +13 and Trey Lyles +14. Fortunately only one player was in the red for that encounter, Barton -6, en route to a lamentably listless loss, 94-101 in a game which seemed like the death rattle for the Nuggets '17-'18 playoff hopes. It didn't turn out as such (quite yet) but it was a crushing defeat nonetheless. In said encounter Denver shot just 37% from the floor, made only 9-33 three point attempts and sent Memphis to the line 28 times, where they connected on 22 attempts. The Nuggets allowed the Grizzlies to slow the pace and muck it up. They can not afford a repeat vs a much better '18-'19 Grizzlies team, featuring the healthy, all around, steadying influence of floor general Mike Conley.

As for this game, on paper given the offensive landscape of the current NBA it is billed as a defensive skirmish at The Grindhouse and while I fully expect that tonight from Memphis, Denver is vastly more capable offensively than what they have shown to this point and can expect regression to the mean to some degree, defensively. Memphis' attack is predicated on creating offense (usually in the form of half court play as opposed to transition) from defense and holding their opponents to a slow pace on the other end, utilizing one of the truly rare point-of-attack defenders that he NBA has to offer in Conley and the still highly capable defensive savvy of Gasol. They can expect modest contributions from Temple & Mack & steadily rising usage from prized rookie Jaren Jackson "Just J's" Jr.™. The Nuggets can expect a steady diet of Conley/Gasol in the P&R and it will be paramount for Big Honey to continue showing improvement in avoiding defensive no-man's-land, in defending these sets.

Honestly there isn't a whole lot more to the Grizzlies (other than a sorely-needed name change), which is not in any way a criticism. Their strategy of "you know what we'll do, now beat us", when healthy, is tried and true. They have the proverbial cash to cover the options. Memphis has thus-far exceeded expectations and should expect to fall a bit in the win-loss column but I fully expect this team to make the back end of the playoffs should Conley/Gasol/Jackson remain healthy.

As we saw in the previous encounter, the Grizzlies are an excellent free-throw shooting team (Mack aside) and that along with their ability to defend the perimeter will once again be key tonight. Memphis (102.1) is the only Western Conference rival to hold opponents to a lower score than does Denver (102.4.) The Nuggets must make hay on the offensive end where they are clearly more capable than the Grizz', as indicated by the 111.8-103.7 offensive PPG discrepancy.

Prediction: Denver 101 - Memphis - 95. A quick glance at Denver Stiffs reveals a similar prediction from Gordon Gross in his pre-game piece of 108-98 Nuggets, while Jack Noonan from Grizzly Bear Blues predicted a score of 117-105, also in favor of Denver

Go Nuggets!

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If you are viewing the pre-game version of the TPM piece; and you enjoy Gonzo-basketball reporting, I invite you to please join me after the game where the same link will lead you to the post game version. In it, all of the disjointed/unsightly blanks below will be filled, complete with data/analysis and more snark than "Snarknado VI: Snakenado", which I'm told is about a pessimistic, albino, black mamba who emerges from micro-bursts to torment the people of Los Angeles with shady tweets.

There be monsters; shameless, personal plug alert! (by permission of Denver Stiffs): If you are in the market for clothing, featuring the four major Denver sports franchises as well s CU, please open this link in a new tab to see if there is anything you are interested in. You don't have to order from the link of course if you are in the Denver Metro area, as I'm more than happy to meet up with you (please refrain from bringing rotten tomatoes), drastically lowering the cost, as Poshmark takes a healthy cut as well as shipping & handling. Thanks in advance!

Unique, hard to find, one of a kind and custom gear of your favorite team

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And now what none of you come here for; how about some basketball nerdery?!?!

(After these messages... Er Nicknames)

Memphis Grizzlies Roster

Denver Nuggets Roster

Update: MPJ and I.T. are sleeping on Ice, awaiting intel as to when their services will be required. Rookie Jared Vanderbilt will have to wait to make his rookie debut until long after R.O.Y. candidate Thomas Welsh, as he recovers from an actual injury. Millsap is questionable tonight with an ankle injury. Finally, Barton had successful surgery on his abductor and hip. He will be evaluated for return in mid-December. As for Memphis, Green is out with a jaw injury, Casspi is out with a knee injury and Parsons is always out, also with a knee injury.

Data: Open this link in a new tab for the definition of TPM™

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TPM™ Game 11 MEM

Jamal Murray: +21

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +7

Gary Harris: +15

Malik Beasley: -5

Torrey Craig: +2

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: N/A

Will Barton: N/A

Juancho Hernangomez: -1

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: -6

Trey Lyles: +14

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Nikola Jokic: +6

Mason Plumlee: +5

Thomas Welsh: N/A

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Total TPM™

Jamal Murray: 11 games +179

Isaiah Thomas: 0 games +0

Monte Morris: 11 games +137

Gary Harris: 11 games +175

Malik Beasley: 11 games +21

Torrey Craig: 10 games -3

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: 3 games -2

Will Barton: 2 games +33

Juancho Hernangomez: 10 games +14

Michael Porter Jr.: 0 games +0

Jared Vanderbilt: 0 games +0

Paul Millsap: 11 games +76

Trey Lyles: 11 games +89

Tyler Lydon: 4 games +1

Nikola Jokic: 11 games +202

Mason Plumlee: 11 games +79

Thomas Welsh: 3 games -1

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +16.27

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +12.45

Gary Harris: +15.91

Malik Beasley: +1.91

Torrey Craig: -0.30

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: -0.67

Will Barton: +16.50

Juancho Hernangomez: +1.40

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +6.91

Trey Lyles:+8.09

Tyler Lydon: +0.25

Nikola Jokic: +18.36

Mason Plumlee: +7.18

Thomas Welsh: -0.33

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 10:

*Credit DomP on the Spreadsheet. It's as if my (nerdy) baby (TPM™) learned to speak

Analysis:

Qtr1- The Nuggets trot out their injury-replacement starting five, consisting of The Blue Arrow, Just Gary Harris, Torrey FUCKING Craig, The Anchorman & Big Honey. The Grizzlies counter with Conley, Temple, Anderson, Jackson & Gasol. I'd like to personally thank the Kroenke family for greasing the wheels as a means to get a staggered start time for the Nuggets and Avs games tonight. Jokic loses the tip and as Jason Kozmiski would say, this one is ova! Two possessions, two offensive fouls for the Grizz'. The paint's predictably packed and Jokic has GOT to shoot jumpers, make or miss, in order to open it up. The pace is decidely in the Grizzlies favor from jump-street and they lead just 4-0 at 9:30. Murray is once again aggressive and the lead is down to one after two straight buckets by the youngster, at 7:22. I'm going out on a limb and saying this one will be played in the 90's. Gasol earns his 2nd foul at 7:07 but remains in. Denver needs to go directly at him. He survives what could have been a pushing foul vs Jokic and is wisely replaced by Rabb at 6:00.

Denver leads at 5:30 on a sensational tip in by Craig. He scores B2B buckets for the first time all season (I'm assuming.) The always cheeky Marlowe inserts a timely "ballot box" joke, seamlessly. Jackson has his 2nd foul and Denver is winning the "game within the game" tonight. That's huge, especially on the road. Morris/Lyles are first off the pine for the good guys at 4:30, up five. Rabb has no answer for Jokic defensively and is begging to be posted up every time down. Ivan has two fouls quickly, after two such occasions. Jokic has three first quarter steals. Rabb now has three fouls in as many minutes of action. Backup center appears to be an issue for Memphis. Denver's D is tremendous as they lead 22-14 with two to play. Beasley is in with 1:38 to go and an eight point lead. Plumlee is in for Jokic with just over a minute to play. Murray is clearly in the Grizzlies scouting report as he's been double and triple teamed regularly. He's done an excellent job of making the correct pass even when it doesn't lead directly to an assist, as has been the case all season.The Nuggets are paced in TPM by Murray +11 as they lead 29-22 after one.

Qtr2- The Nuggets are going with a three guard lineup of Morris/Murray/Beasley to open the 2nd. Lyles is very aggressive in the post and Memphis doesn't have any defensive answers for him either. Glaring is the absence of Z-Bo, from their glory days of just a couple seasons ago. The Grizzlies may clutch/grab more than even Utah/Golden State and are not going unpunished by the officials. Plumlee miraculously sinks a free throw. Juancho checks in for the first time at 7:30, with a four point lead. Lyles is doing a fine job creating for others but this bench unit is struggling to convert. Memphis has four team fouls with over seven minutes remaining. The starters begin filtering in for the Nuggets at 6:15. Jokic has yet to shoot with 5:30 to go. Harris is just the first Nugget to reach double figures in scoring at 5:10. The Grizzlies have tied it up on the strength of a 9-3 run with 4:18 to play. Denver's starters are in tact following a commercial break at this time.

The defensive intensity is palpable for both sides at the moment as the Nuggets lead by four at 2:53. Jokic picks up three uber-fast fouls for sneezing on Gasol and these officials out to be ashamed of themselves. He's forced to sit with 2:45 to go in a three point game, as Memphis enters the bonus. Harris nets a four point play as Denver joins their adversaries in the bonus as well, with 2:25 to go and a seven point lead for the Nuggets. Millsap is struggling with the length of JJJ on both ends and the Grizzlies take the lead, on the strength of an 8-0 run with under a minute to go. Jokic getting jobbed by the refs has precipitated this ugly turn of events. Murray shoots/misses a long three from half court to close out the half and somewhere, Kyrie is whining about it. No players for either squad are in any sort of serious, individual foul trouble. Big Honey fails to attempt a single shot in the first half which is entirely unacceptable. Denver is paced in TPM by Jokic +10 & Murray +11 as they trail 50-47 at the half.

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Qtr3- Terrific; Nikola now has four fouls and zero shot attempts, after a silly foul with 11 to go in the third. This game just does not feel like a W. Memphis has all the momentum and Jokic is attempting to make some sort of point in his reluctance to shoot. It's that obvious. Murray FINALLY becomes just the second player to reach double digits in scoring as Denver somehow only trails by two in a game that feels far less competitive, with 8:39 remaining. Jokic attempts to pass from the post with 2 seconds left on the shot clock! Unbelievable! He follows that up by passing on a wide open three! What the fuck man! Memphis leads by five with 6:01 to go.

Big Honey gets his fifth foul as Gasol backs him down and this is bad for more than just that but for the fact that Malone doesn't have the chance to bench him and wake his ass up. It's all Grizzlies as they lead by seven at 5:06. Honestly that feels more like 20 with this team. The bench unit plus Harris seems to be giving the Nuggets a spark and they reel off seven points in less than a minute, to tie the game up. The intensity differential between Plumlee right now and the pine-riding Jokic is night and day. Lyles makes three in double figures for Denver. The Nuggets have no business being in this game but are impossibly tied as the third period comes to a close. Denver is paced in TPM by Harris +13 & Murray +16 as the score is 70-70 after three.

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Qtr4- Plumlee gets his fourth foul early which is bad news for the good guys, as he's spearheaded the energetic play for Denver in the absence of such from Jokic. The Nuggets have outscored the Grizz' 7-2 and have a five point lead with 9:42 to go. Plumlee makes four in double digits. Pass-first center Gasol, scores four straight for Memphis, demonstrating the value of scoring. Morris is missing a lot of open looks or else the Nuggets could be pulling away at the moment but the defense is sound. Jokic is re-inserted at 5:18 with a two point lead. He once again passes with under two seconds in the shot clock, resulting in a violation. I'm at a loss for words. The refs have resumed their hose Denver ways and the Grizzlies take a three point lead with under four to go. Jokic finally shoots but he's hacked so still no official shots. A streaking Juancho retakes the lead for the Nuggets on a transition layup. Marlowe poo-poo's Dempsey's pick of potato salad as pathetic.

Memphis reacquires the lead on a blown assignment by Juancho, resulting in a wide open three for Mack. Jokic ONCE AGAIN passes on a wide open three, resulting in a Jamal miss, likely because it seemed obvious that Jokic NEEDED to shoot that one. The Nuggets bench is audibly barking at Big Honey to shoot. I've never seen anything like this! The Nuggets trail by four with 40 seconds remaining. Murray drives and kicks to Lyles who will try for a three point play. He misses the freebie but Juancho boards it and Jamal drills it from 20 feet to tie the game! Jokic has STILL not attempted a shot! Murray perplexingly bear-hugs a diving Gasol, Memphis is in the bonus and he sticks them both, giving the Grizzlies a two point lead with 4.6 seconds to play. The Nuggets advance the ball with a timeout. Denver is gonna draw up a three attempt for Jokic here. Kidding. That'd be suicidal given that he has no way of knowing if his shot is going tonight. Gotta go to Harris or Murray here. Jokic ironically rushes a long three attempt and Denver loses. Fuck this! Malone deserves a share of the blame for confoundingly drawing up a play for Jokic there. Denver is paced in TPM by Lyles +14, Harris +15 & Murray +21 as they hand one away on the road, 87-89.

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Final Thoughts: In my opinion, Jokic was affected by the embarrassment of what I assume was a failure to differentiate between common jock vernacular and appropriate usage of the English language, in his unfortunate remark which resulted in a fine. That doesn't explain why he's attempting to prove that Denver can win without him scoring though, something he's clearly doing over the course of the past several games. Who exactly is he trying to make this point to and why does it matter so much to him? This one hurt to watch. The Nuggets are no longer undefeated for games in which they lose the opening tip, so I'll have to come up with some new filler. I was wrong; much like hairbands, these teams never made it into the 90's.

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We Suck Again!

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