NBA scores: Nuggets defeat Grizzlies, 99-94

After losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night on the road, the Denver Nuggets returned home to the Pepsi Center and brought their record back to .500 by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies by a score of 99-94. They are now 4-4 dating back to Nov. 30, but have not won or lost two games in a row. They have, however, won four games in a row when playing at home.

It was the Nuggets' most experienced and oldest player, Andre Miller, who came off the bench to give the team the edge over the Grizzlies in the second half and helped them to avoid the loss. He scored 18 points, all in the second half, including four points in free throws in the final 10 seconds of the game. Andre Iguodala scored 20 in the winning effort, along with Danilo Gallinari, who added 14.

For the Grizzlies, this was the team's third loss in a row and second in a row that they lost by five points or less. They were led by Rudy Gay, who scored 21 points and Mike Conley and Marreese Speights, who each scored 14. Near the end of the first quarter, Grizzlies guard Darrell Arthur was struck in the mouth while trying to come up with a rebound from a missed free throw and went down. Medical personnel worked on him while he was on the floor for a few minutes before helping him to his feet and getting him to the locker room. He did not return to the game.

The Nuggets will attempt to win more than one game in a row for the first time since Thanksgiving Weekend on Sunday when they travel to Sacramento to face the 7-15 Kings. That game starts at 4 p.m. MST.