MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As per usual, there were enough dunks and 3-pointers to appease any J.R. Smith or Chauncey Billups fan, but the Nuggets won Tuesday because of defense — gritty Anthony Carter, Chris Andersen defense.
In the 100-85 victory, the Nuggets held Memphis to just 10 points for almost 10 minutes in the fourth quarter, when Denver led by 16 and both teams’ starters went to the bench.
For the game, Memphis (11-33) shot just 37.5 percent.
Billups, who hit a tone-setting 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter, finished with 29 points, a fine total, but only three assists, after a game when he tallied just one against Utah.
It was a peculiar performance by the Nuggets, who had more blocked shots (15) than assists (14). The 15 blocks, including a team-high five from reserve post Chris Andersen, was a season-high. The 14 assists barely eclipsed the season low of 12.
The Nuggets led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter but had trouble burying the stingy Grizzlies, playing their first game with new coach Lionel Hollins. But when Smith’s 3-pointer with 4:49 left gave Denver a 91-78 lead, that about ended the Grizzlies’ threat.
Before the game, Nuggets coach George Karl said of Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo: “Right now, he’s probably my rookie of the year. He’s that good, in my mind.”
Mayo averages 19.1 points per game. In the last game against Denver, he scored 31 points, including 20 in the first quarter. On Tuesday, he scored 12 in the first quarter and finished with a team-high 19.
The win was No. 30 for Denver (30-15), and the Nuggets head to New Orleans for a matchup tonight against another top-tier Western Conference team.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
