{"id":597583,"date":"2026-02-11T22:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T22:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/597583\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T22:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T22:19:17","slug":"preview-nuggets-need-to-take-care-of-memphis-in-last-home-game-before-the-all-star-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/597583\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Nuggets need to take care of Memphis in last home game before the All-Star break"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike Memphis, Tennessee, Denver, Colorado is not having unseasonably wintry whether\u2014quite the opposite, actually\u2014so the Nuggets and Grizzlies are actually going to play their regularly scheduled game tonight. The Grizzlies probably wish they could just forfeit both games anyway, though, since they are in full tank and rebuild mode after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. while Ja Morant is shelved with an elbow.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets have not been playing their best ball since Nikola Jokic returned from his knee injury. The defense has generally been deplorable, even with Christian Braun now back and helping on the perimeter, and the offense is yet to groove and pop like it was in December. With the league heading into the All-Star break this weekend, the Nuggets need stomp this one out early so Mal can focus on what really matters: winning the three-point shooting contest on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Basics<\/p>\n

Who: Memphis Grizzlies (20-32) @ Denver Nuggets (34-20)<\/p>\n

When: 7:00 PM MST<\/p>\n

Where: Sunny Ball Arena, Denver<\/p>\n

How to watch\/listen: Altitude TV \/ + \/ Radio<\/p>\n

Rival Blog: Beale Street Bears<\/a><\/p>\n

Injury Report | Nuggets: Nikola Jokic\u2014probable (ankle); Jamal Murray\u2014probable (hip); Christian Braun\u2014probable (ankle); Spencer Jones\u2014questionable (concussion protocol); Aaron Gordon\u2014out (hamstring); Peyton Watson\u2014out (hamstring)<\/p>\n

Memphis Grizzlies: Walter Clayton Jr.\u2014doubtful (calf); Cedric Coward\u2014doubtful (knee); Santi Aldama\u2014out (knee); Brandon Clarke\u2014out (calf); Zach Edey\u2014out (ankle); Ja Morant\u2014out (elbow)<\/p>\n

The Three Things<\/p>\n

The thing to watch for: Is CB back to being CB?<\/p>\n

\"\"Feb 9, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) finishes off a basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a tough year for Christian Braun. After signing a major, long-term contract with the team, he got off to a rocky start and then suffered a nasty ankle injury that kept him out for the better part of two months. \u201cI just wasn\u2019t ready in a lot of places,\u201d he said this week about his first attempt to get back on the court. It was clear then that he wasn\u2019t physically, or probably, mentally ready to compete for a championship at that point. <\/p>\n

But CB had a statement game in a tight loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night, by far his best performance of the season. Christian went for 20\/5\/2 and, maybe more important than the stat line, he shot 4-8 from three, where he\u2019s really struggled in the limited action he\u2019s had. The explosion still isn\u2019t quite there\u2014and he said the ankle is still bothering him\u2014but it was great to be reminded of why the Nuggets believe in him and gave him the contract they did over the summer. Another good game against a G-League-level opponent tonight would be another positive step toward getting the Nuggets\u2019 core rotation revved up for what\u2019s going to be a gauntlet in the Western Conference. <\/p>\n

The thing to remember: The Nuggets have been terrible at home<\/p>\n

The Nuggets are just 14-11 at home, which isn\u2019t just odd for such a good team, but especially for this team playing at this altitude. Denver has historically been a good home team, but in the Jokic era, Ball Arena has been one of the hardest places for road teams to win in the NBA. The Nuggets have also been oddly bad in close games, which accounts for much of the home record disparity. Of the 11 losses, 5 of them were decided by 5 points or less\u2014games that they usually dominate because of the Jokic-Murray two-man game. It\u2019s a negative data point amidst a lot of positive, but the Nuggets need to reestablish home their home dominance to have any shot at getting to the Finals again.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) shoots during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The thing to bet: Tim Hardaway Jr. +3 3PM<\/p>\n

With the exception of, like, two cold games, THJ has been a sniper all season from deep. This game should be handled fairly early by the Nuggets starters, which could give plenty of garbage time for Tim to take, and likely make, as many threes as he wants. I\u2019d bet over three or four makes with maybe a Strawther kicker if you\u2019re looking for a parlay. <\/p>\n

\u2014 Julian Strawther 15+ pts (+186) DK
to win 0.75u<\/p>\n

Strawther could see extended minutes with lingering Nuggets injuries or a blowout and has 15+ in 7 of his last 12 when logging 20+ mins. This number is also 15-30 cents better than I’m seeing at other books right now.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Gabe Bradley (@OrangutanInAVan) February 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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