Grizzlies' offensive rebounding faces Nuggets, 25th on the defensive glass

The Memphis Grizzlies (7-3), with a top-10 defense and a frontcourt thinned by injuries, host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (5-4) on Wednesday night, with the game turning on the offensive glass.

Memphis grabs 29.7% of its own misses, eighth in the league, while Denver ranks 25th in defensive rebounding. Every Grizzlies miss can become a second chance around the Nuggets' basket.

The Nuggets hold their edge at the foul line. No team allows fewer free throws, and Memphis ranks 25th in getting there, so the Grizzlies must score from the floor against a set defense.

Both teams shoot it well, with a true shooting percentage of 59.1 apiece. The gap opens at the other end. Memphis has a defensive rating of 107.9, ninth in the league; Denver sits 23rd at 113.3.

Jokic runs the Denver offense, averaging 10.8 rebounds and 9 assists. Jamal Murray scores 25.8 points a game on 49.3% shooting, and the Nuggets play at one of the slowest paces in the league.

Ty Jerome leads Memphis with 26.7 points a game and makes 89.1% of his free throws. Forward Cameron Boozer adds 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists, and center Zach Edey blocks 1.3 shots a night.

The Grizzlies' injury report hits them where Jokic operates. Center Quinten Post is out, expected back Friday, November 13, and forward-center Isaiah Stewart is questionable. Guards Scotty Pippen Jr. and Richie Saunders are also out, Saunders until Tuesday, December 1.

Julian Strawther, a guard who plays 14.6 minutes a game, is the only Nuggets absence. He is out, with a return expected Sunday, November 29.

Memphis beat Toronto 118-102 on the road in its last game, after home losses to Oklahoma City, Indiana and New Orleans, the last by 135-134. The Nuggets arrive off a 110-100 loss at Houston.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET in Memphis. Sportsbooks' prices give Denver a 61% chance to win; Keel Stats' projection, built from the players available, puts it at 57%.