DENVER (AP) \u2014 Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray warmed up for their appearances in the NBA\u2019s All-Star festivities by teaming up to help the Denver Nuggets hold off the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116 Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Jokic had the 184th triple-double of his career with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Murray added 22 points and was 4 for 4 from the foul line in the final 11.7 seconds.<\/p>\n
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points for the Nuggets, who head into the break at 35-20 despite an injury-riddled season that has seen all five starters miss time and six of their top rotation players go out for significant stretches.<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies, losers of 10 of 12, erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, largely with Jokic on the bench, but never could take the late lead.<\/p>\n
Jokic reached the triple-double when he assisted Hardaway on a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left in the third quarter for a 93-81 lead.<\/p>\n
The Nuggets pulled away in the second quarter when they hit four consecutive 3-pointers to make it 44-33. But the Grizzlies scored the final seven points of the first half to pull to 60-54 at the break.<\/p>\n
They used another 7-0 run to pull to 66-65 and force a timeout at 8:58 of the third quarter. A 3-pointer by GG Jackson II, whose 21 points led Memphis, tied it at 68 but the Grizzlies never could grab the lead.<\/p>\n
Denver coach David Adelman said Spencer Jones, whose two-way contract hasn\u2019t been converted yet, is still \u201cat the end of the concussion protocol,\u201d and \u201cthe negotiation that\u2019s going on there obviously is being slow-played because of the concussion.\u201d Jones is expected to sign a pro-rated contract before the Nuggets return to action following the All-Star break, one that would also allow them to sign a 15th player for the stretch run.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
Grizzlies: host the Utah Jazz on Friday, Feb. 20.<\/p>\n
Nuggets: visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, Feb. 19.<\/p>\n