[ad_1]
In the game marked by defeat, the 28-year-old 213 cm tall Lithuanian forward scored 14 points (7/10 doubles) and bounced 11 balls during the 37 minutes he spent on the floor.
It was the 22nd double digit for J.Valančiūnas this season.
The Utenaian, who had to push with Serbian giant Nikola Jokicius, lost a direct microduel to his opponent.
The 26-year-old, 211 cm tall Serbian striker finished the duel with 28 points (11/20 doubles, 1/2 trit.), Bouncing 15 balls and making 7 assists.
During the moody game, the Nuggets managed to get away from their rivals and gained a double-digit lead in the third half.
However, the owners of the site did not give up and began to alleviate the existing deficit.
The climax culminated at the end of the fourth quarter, when Memphis club defender Ja Morant had a chance to snatch victory from his team.
However, N.Jokičius, who successfully defended himself in the last attack of the game against the Grizzlies defender, helped preserve his team’s one-point lead, which guaranteed victory on the opponents’ court.
“Grizzlies”: Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks after 20, Ja Morantas 16, Jonas Valančiūnas 14 (rev. 11).
Nuggets: Nikola Jokičius 28, Will Barton and Michael Porter 21 each, Paul Millsap 11.
