MEMPHIS — The Nuggets’ starting lineup is a machine of five moving parts, and this month, Denver has proved that without just one of those parts, the machine malfunctions.
Denver lost its second consecutive game without Chauncey Billups, out with an injured groin, falling 102-96 on Sunday at Memphis. Earlier this month, Denver lost both games Kenyon Martin missed.
Last season, the Nuggets’ bench was a feel-good story, but this season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Denver needs key reserve off the bench.
Now, give Denver credit — it nearly tied the biggest opponent comeback in the history of the Grizzlies. Down 23 points in the second quarter, the Nuggets (19-9) got within two in the fourth quarter, but the home team was tougher.
Memphis (12-15) power forward Zach Randolph reached a double-double by the 3:41 mark in the second quarter, and he finished with a line that looked like one of Wilt Chamberlain’s: 32 points and 24 rebounds in 43 minutes. And with Memphis leading by six points with 43.7 seconds left, the big guy launched a 3-pointer that gave the Grizzlies a 100-91 lead.
The intensity reverberated through the Nuggets in the fourth quarter. J.R. Smith, who had missed his first eight shots of the game, swished the ninth, a 3, to start the quarter. Carmelo Anthony played grinding man-to-man defense on guard Sam Young, forcing a traveling violation and then getting to the line on Denver’s next two possessions. And Nene and Randolph had to be separated at one point by teammates, officials and coaches.
Anthony scored a game-high 41 points on 13-for-26 shooting, even more impressive when you consider he was just 1-for-5 after one quarter. He and Anthony Carter basically willed Denver into contention after trailing by 18 points at the half.
With Billups out, Nuggets coach George Karl started Carter at point guard in Friday’s loss, but before Sunday’s game at Memphis, Karl said he would start Ty Lawson and have Carter as the backup point.
“I always felt A.C. was the key to the second unit last year,” Karl said, “and the second unit has been a little inconsistent, so it’s probably a compliment to put A.C. where he can help us the most.”
But by halftime, Karl decided the place Carter could help the most was as the main point guard. Carter started the third quarter, and his energy and leadership spearheaded a remarkable run.
By the end of the third, in which Carter played 10½ minutes, the Nuggets had cut the lead to 13, and amid the run, Carter hit a 3-pointer, which at the time cut the lead to 72-67. And in the fourth quarter, he hit another 3 with 1:36 left, cutting the lead to four points. For the night, Carter played 33 minutes, logging eight points and seven assists, while Lawson tallied two assists in a scoreless 18 minutes.
In recent games in Memphis, the Nuggets have struggled getting into a groove. Throw in the weird afternoon tipoff, and the Nuggets were a first-half embarrassment. Fans knew something was up when Anthony clanked his first jump-shot attempt and air-balled the next.
With two minutes left in the first, Memphis center Hasheem Thabeet altered three Denver shots on one possession and then, on the other end, unleashed a mammoth, one-handed slam, giving the Grizzlies a 31-16 lead.
In the second quarter at one point, Memphis doubled Denver at 42-21, and by halftime, the Grizzlies led 61-43.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
