--G O.J. Mayo and F Rudy Gay got in a face-to-face shouting match in the final minutes of Sunday's loss. Mayo was critical of teammates who didn't retreat on defense fast enough. "We just felt that defensively we weren't communicating," Mayo said. "Our energy was going down and we said some things. But we got it situated, and continued to play the game." Gay said he and Mayo are still tight after playing at the Team USA training camp this past summer.
"It's not what people think it was," Gay said. "Me and O.J. were together all summer, so we're fine."
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins shut down the arguing.
"I told them to shut up so we can get on with the rest of the game," Hollins said. "It's not about you. It's about us trying to win a game. We can't stand here with you guys going back and forth.
"If we continue with that energy and effort, and shore up some other areas, we'll be fine. Denver knew that they had to put out and they did. I was happy about the way we competed. We just lost to a good team -- a better team. Denver showed why it made the Western Conference final last season."
--Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups gave the new-look Grizzlies some post game love.
"That's not the Memphis that we played last year," Billups said. "They've got some young studs. You've got to give them a little credit. They played good and made some shots."
--The Griz put up 40 in the first quarter at Denver, but never had another 40-point quarter the rest of the way.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I can shoot the 3, but I'm going to leave that alone this year. I have a totally different mindset this year." -- New Griz forward Zach Randolph
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