The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 142-105, at Ball Arena on Thursday evening.

In the absence of Ja Morant (illness), the Grizzlies got out to a quick five-point lead, but the Nuggets rallied to a, 33-27, advantage after one quarter. The hosts kept the momentum going in the second and outscored the Grizzlies by 11 points, to make it a 17-point difference at the break. The Nuggets kept control through the third, pushing it to a 23-point game heading into the final quarter. The Grizzlies had no answers down the stretch and saw their four-game win streak come to an end, while this marks the sixth consecutive win for the Nuggets, as they improved to, 13-2, at home.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and a block, in 30 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 23 points, three rebounds, nine assists and two steals, while Peyton Watson totaled 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Meanwhile, Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 23 points, two assists and a steal, in 25 minutes. Marcus Smart followed up with 17 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while David Roddy added 15 points and two assists, off the bench.

The Grizzlies (10-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Clippers in Los Angeles on Friday. The Nuggets (23-10) play host to the Thunder on Friday.