MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The slow start for Will Barton — the three missed shots in three attempts in the opening quarter — was, well, deceptive.
The Nuggets guard, playing at the arena in which he starred for two seasons at the University of Memphis, quickly dismissed the pressure — first supplied by himself and then by all-NBA defender Tony Allen — to lead the Nuggets to a 109-105 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night at FedExForum.
Barton scored 24 of his team-high 25 points in the next three quarters, leading a key run in the second quarter to build a 16-point lead and adding a clutch free throw in the closing seconds. The victory allowed the Nuggets to snap a six-game losing streak at FedExForum and Barton to enjoy a postgame reunion in the stands with family, friends and his 1-year-old son, Wyatt.
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“I missed the first couple of shots. They were just kind of short. But as the game went on, I kind of found my rhythm,” Barton said. “I was just staying aggressive and trying to play within myself.”
Barton, in contention for NBA sixth man of the year, said although he had played multiple games at FedExForum in his four-year pro career, this was the first in which he said he appeared as an “established” player. Barton entered the game with a 14.8 average.
With the Nuggets missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year, games like Wednesday night’s will have to suffice for how a playoff team handles itself and the pressure of playing on the road. The Nuggets (32-44) led by 20 in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth and survived a comeback by the Grizzlies that trimmed the lead to three in the closing seconds.
“We wanted to get off to a good start against a veteran team like that (playing before) a great crowd,” Barton said. “They had a push at the end, but we stood our ground and got a big win.”
The Nuggets survived despite yielding 62 points in the paint.
“We made enough plays down the stretch,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “It got a little too close for comfort. Give them credit. They have a never-quit mentality.
“I thought defensively we did a pretty good job most of the night. But the one thing that stuck out was we did not rebound the ball well. They had (20) offensive rebounds and 21 points and seven of those in the fourth quarter. That gave them life. That gave them extra possessions.”
Emmanuel Mudiay added 17 points for the Nuggets, including 13 in the third quarter, and Nikola Jokic finished with 14 rebounds.
Denver never trailed against the Grizzlies, whose second half of the season has been plagued by multiple injuries to key players, including starting center Marc Gasol and starting point guard Mike Conley. Gasol is out for the season.
Memphis lost for the eight time in nine games and finds itself in jeopardy of losing its desired No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoff standings.
Forward Zach Randolph, who returned from a two-game absence after an ankle injury, led the Grizzlies with 26 points. Reserve JaMychal Green added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
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The Pelicans’ injury situation is beyond bad. The number of players out for the season has reached seven after Jrue Holiday and Alonzo Gee were shut down Tuesday. This includes star Anthony Davis. Entering Wednesday’s game at San Antonio, Douglas had the best scoring average among the starting five at 7.4 points per game. The other starters were Dante Cunningham (5.3 points), Luke Babbitt (5.2), Alexis Ajinca (4.9) and Omer Asik (3.8).
