Memphis has turned the page, but the new chapter is moving fast. As of Monday, the Grizzlies stand 7-3, and rookie forward Cameron Boozer has helped make their fresh look feel dangerous. On Wednesday night, they welcome Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the 5-4 Denver Nuggets for a game that pits Memphis’s rising young group against Denver’s proven stars.

Boozer is the thread that ties Memphis’s season together. The powerful 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 16.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. That means he does more than finish plays. He chases missed shots, handles the ball, and finds teammates when defenders crowd him. His shooting has been uneven early, so this game could hinge on whether he creates clean looks near the rim or from the passing game.

He will have serious help inside. Zach Edey, the 7-foot-3 center, gives Memphis a huge target around the basket. Edey grabs eight rebounds per game and blocks 1.3 shots, using his size to make the paint feel crowded. Memphis averages 48.3 rebounds, far more than Denver’s 42.3. Extra rebounds can create extra chances, and that is a major path for the Grizzlies at home.

Jerami Grant adds veteran calm to that young frontcourt. He is hitting 44.7 percent of his three-point shots, so Denver cannot leave him alone on the outside while it watches Boozer and Edey. Memphis also makes 38.6 percent from deep as a team, giving its big players room to work. The Grizzlies bounced back from two losses with a 118-102 win over Toronto on Monday, showing they can respond when the season gets bumpy.

Denver brings a different kind of challenge: an offense built around smart passing and tough shot-making. Jokic is close to a triple-double each night with 23.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists. A triple-double is when a player reaches double digits in three major stats. Jokic can score himself, but his greatest trick is drawing defenders toward him and slipping a pass to an open teammate.

Murray is that teammate Memphis must track from the opening tip. He leads Denver at 25.8 points per game and has made an eye-catching 50.7 percent of his three-point tries. When Jokic sets a screen, meaning he stands in a defender’s path to free a teammate, Murray can rise for a jumper or drive toward the hoop. Aaron Gordon’s cutting and strength add another problem near the basket.

Denver’s latest report lists Jokic, Murray, Gordon, DeMar DeRozan, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson as probable. Memphis lists Isaiah Stewart as out. If Denver’s group is available, the Nuggets have more ways to create shots. Still, Memphis has been stronger on the glass, owns the better record through Monday, and is playing at home. Prediction: The Grizzlies will win by turning rebounds and Boozer’s all-around play into a statement night.

Cameron Boozer and Memphis Meet Denver’s Star Duo