NBA Basketball
2026-04-08 - Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Wednesday 8th April 2026 - Scheduled 9pm EST
2am (British Time)
Preview
Three games remain for the Denver Nuggets (51-28) in the bid to finish in the top three of the Western Conference- a run of nine straight wins has given them a single game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, but they cannot think ahead to the remaining games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
There is every chance the Nuggets are going to be very focused on this game considering this nine game winning run began after a defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies (25-54) who have long given up hopes of reaching the p post-season.
Denver have improved and won a lot of games since that defeat to the Grizzlies, while Memphis have been losing a lot.
It is no surprise considering the injury hit roster and the number of important names that have been traded away over the course of the season. The summer is going to be very important for Memphis to reshape the roster into one they believe can get them back into contention in the loaded Western Conference, but they can end the season by playing spoiler when facing the Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.
The pressure is all on the home team and that means the Grizzlies can try and pick up from where they left off on Monday when draining 29 three pointers in the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That number tied a NBA record and it allowed Memphis to remain somewhat competitive, which could be the case in this game if the Nuggets are not more committed to challenging those shooters.
On the same night as Memphis hit 29 three pointers, Denver allowed the Portland Trail Blazers to drain 25 against them and it does make this spread look like it could be a touch high.
Denver still overcame those three pointers and maintained the winning run and this Memphis team have not been able to cope on the Defensive side of the court with so many of the players competing just not quite up to the top level of the NBA. All players will feel they can hit the open shots when it comes to them, but the Defensive schemes are more challenging and the Grizzlies have found that out.
Despite that, Memphis may still be able to cover, even if it is a backdoor cover, and they do look worth backing on the Wednesday slate og games.
The Nuggets are capable of blowing past them, but they may ease off if having a very big lead with the games coming up to round out the regular season.
Games can get out of hand at this stage of the season, but the Grizzlies have shown enough Offensively to land within this spread in a losing effort.
Prediction
Take the points with the road underdog.
The Pick :
Denver Nuggets 128-112 Memphis Grizzlies
