Cedric Coward scored 27 points, but a shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies squad couldn't hold an early lead as Nikola Jokic's triple-double powered Denver to a 136-119 win.
Cedric Coward scored 27 points and the shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies led by as many as eight in the first half before Nikola Jokić delivered a triple-double to power Denver past Memphis, 136-119, Wednesday night at Ball Arena.
The Nuggets, who have now won 10 consecutive games, used a dominant third quarter to seize control and pull away from a Grizzlies squad playing without 10 players, including Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Jokić finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray led all scorers with 26 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three. Cameron Johnson added 18.
Coward was Memphis' most dynamic force, going 10-of-17 from the field and 3-of-7 from three to go along with six rebounds. Taylor Hendricks and Lucas Williamson each added 16 points, while Toby Okani chipped in 15 on 4-of-7 shooting from deep and Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 15 of his own.
Memphis controlled stretches of the first half, building an eight-point advantage before Denver steadied itself. The Grizzlies led 72-68 at the break after a 39-31 second quarter. But Denver outscored Memphis 39-22 in the third period and never looked back.
Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who was assessed a technical foul in the first quarter, said he was encouraged by what his depleted roster showed through much of the game.
"I thought they did great," Iisalo said. "Right from the get-go, we were able to build a lead playing our way both defensively and offensively. For a long time, I thought we controlled the game. Obviously, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić really kept them in it, and they're a very good basketball team."
Dariq Whitehead added seven points and seven rebounds but was called for a flagrant foul with 8:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jahmai Mashack, who drew a defensive three-seconds technical in the third period, finished with nine points and seven assists.
Memphis shot 45.7% from the field and 38% from three, but Denver's 58.9% shooting clip proved too much to overcome. The Nuggets also held a commanding 66-44 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Memphis 19-7 on fast breaks.
Adama Bal finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists off the bench for Memphis.
With two games remaining in the regular season, Iisalo said the message to his team is straightforward.
"Just keep doing the things we've been doing," he said. "There are no magic tricks. We've got two more opportunities to play with our identity. Keep sharing the ball, keep playing good defense, and the rest will take care of itself."
Memphis (25-55) plays next in Utah on Friday.