Grizzlies slow pace, deal Denver 2nd loss

In a season when NBA teams are scoring more and playing faster on offense, the Memphis Grizzlies are taking the opposite approach: relying on their defense.

That proved successful Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.

Marc Gasol scored 20 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining, and host Memphis won 89-87 to end the Nuggets’ five-game winning streak.

The Nuggets (9-2) had a chance after Gasol’s foul shots, but Nikola Jokic’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim and Denver’s rebound tip was also off the mark.

Memphis held the Nuggets to 39 percent shooting, including 8 of 32 from three-point range. The 87 points were a season low for the Nuggets, and the 176 points combined by the teams tied for the fewest in an NBA game this season.

“We knew it was going to be an ugly game if we were going to have a chance of winning,” Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. “We tried to get in the mud a little bit, be physical defensively and get the pace where we wanted it.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. also had 20 points for Memphis, and Kyle Anderson finished with 14. Gasol grabbed 12 rebounds.

Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 20 points, and Trey Lyles added 16 off the bench. Jamal Murray had 15 points and seven assists after scoring 48 in Monday night’s win over Boston.

Murray shot only 6 of 21 this time.

“I don’t know what it was, but the ball didn’t like me today,” Murray said.