Another regular season is in the books.
In Game 82, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 126-111. Denver will finish the year at 57-25, which ties the 2012-13 Nuggets for the most regular season wins in franchise history.
"A lot of trusting each other. I think our defense, especially after the break, is good," Nikola Jokić said about the Nuggets historic season. "Playing together more, so it's probably just experience, too."
The win was also Michael Malone's 424th as Nuggets head coach, and he passed George Karl for second place on the all-time Nuggets leaderboard. Up next is Doug Moe, who holds Denver's franchise record with 432 wins as head coach.
"Obviously, we're all chasing Doug Moe. Doug Moe was the best coach ever in Nuggets history," Malone said. "What does it mean? It means that I've been here for nine years, and I've been really fortunate to have just tremendous players who have bought in, committed, and given everything that I've asked them for nine years."
"I've been really, really fortunate to have been given this job by Tim Connelly and Josh Kroenke," Malone continued. "Nine years later, man, we've had a lot of talent walk through that door and a lot of great coaches who have challenged me and helped me become a better coach."
Denver is now officially locked into second place in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City defeated Dallas, 135-86, to secure first place in the West, but Minnesota fell to Phoenix, 125-106. The Nuggets will play the winner of the 7/8 Play-In game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. From there, they'll have homecourt advantage against the winner of the first-round series between the 3-seed Timberwolves and 6-seed Suns.
"The playoffs are coming, so the fun part starts," Jokić said.
Eight Nuggets finished in double-figures against Memphis. Jamal Murray led the way with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, and Christian Braun gave Denver 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals off the bench. This was Braun's second career double-double.
Things stayed fairly close for most of the first half, but then the Nuggets ended the second quarter on an 11-3 run. Another 15-4 run in the third quarter helped the good guys build a 20-point lead, allowing them to give their starters some much-needed rest in the fourth quarter and cruise to the victory.