The Denver Nuggets struggled on Tuesday night, as they fell to a surging Memphis Grizzlies side, 104-96. The home team came out hot off the gates, with Memphis outscoring their opponents 31-18 in the opening period. The Grizzlies would build on from there, and would eventually beat out one of the best teams in the West in the Nuggets.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons behind Denver's struggles was their shot selection. As it turns out, the team collectively hoisted more three-point shots throughout the contest than they did two-pointers — a first in the team's entire franchise history.
First time in franchise history that DEN took more 3pters (45) than 2pters (41). 😳
— Chris Marlowe (@ChrisMarlowe) January 29, 2020
That's a pretty baffling statistic right there. The Nuggets do not exactly belong in the upper echelon of 3-point shooting teams in the league (they rank 20th overall in 3-point percentage at 34.7%), which makes this fact even more perplexing.
It also took a complete team effort to produce this odd statistic, with all active players significantly contributing to Denver's record-breaking evening.
The 45 3pt-FGA is a new Nuggets record (old: 44 at ATL on 2/8/17)… all 9 Nuggets to play shot at least 3 3pters.
— Chris Marlowe (@ChrisMarlowe) January 29, 2020
Veteran forward Jerami Grant takes top honors, though, making six out of his nine attempts from distance, en route to an impressive 21-point outing. Nikola Jokic and Will Barton were not far behind with six attempts apiece.
This was Denver's third loss in the past six games. It's extremely tight in the West right now with one loss capable of sending a team plummeting to the lower seeds — and at 32-15, the Nuggets have fallen to the fourth spot. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have now won three straight, and are clinging on to the eighth and final playoffs spot in the conference.
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