The absences of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks were too much for the Grizzlies who lost 126-114 on the floor of the Bucks. The NBA champions mastered the cannon start of Memphis well, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was able, as often, to count on Bobby Portis to help him fuel the brand. The two men are in the oven and the mill at the start of the match, and Giannis shows once again that he can now also find an open teammate easily.
But be warned, Memphis isn’t one of the best teams in the Western Conference for nothing. With Ja Morant in charge, the Grizzlies respond to the NBA’s two-time MVP. The first twelve minutes are spectacular and the Bucks are in front (36-30).
Ultra dominating, Giannis continues to lead by example. As often, the defending champions strive to spin the ball well, and their end of the second act is a collective demonstration and Memphis suffers. Back and used off the bench, Jrue Holiday shows its importance. Less involved in the creation because of a still sovereign Giannis, its leader is still capable of dazzling, and above all, he defends well on Ja Morant. At the break, the Bucks made the break (61-47).
Back from the locker room, Jaren Jackson Jr comes to give Morant a hand. Very mature in his game, JJJ is having a good night. He gives everything in the racket but also at long distance. He is a very elegant player and tonight he is in good shape. He takes advantage of Morant’s offerings to score. Unfortunately, for him, Khris Middleton has also moved up a gear. Memphis can’t close the gap despite the exploits and acrobatics of its best player. There are 12 minutes left and we will have to give everything (96-87).
Found by George Hill, Middleton scores 3-point and thinks he did the hardest with this 15-point gap (108-93) … But Ja Morant will never let go. As a leader, he encourages his people. Motivated, they iNFLict a 16-4 and stick to a possession of their opponents (114-111).
But a champion never doubts, Giannis scores six consecutive points and seals the fate of this meeting. Milwaukee signs a convincing success (126-114).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The end of the Bucks game. Defeated in the last two games, the Bucks were once again mistreated in the last act. Yet they had the game in hand. But this time, they did not crack despite a 16-4 conceded at the end of the match. With Jrue Holiday on the floor, the tempo was better managed. But it was above all Giannis who made the difference at the end of the match. Omnipresent in rebounds, he especially scored three baskets in a row including a last majestic dunk.
The absences of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks. This evening, faced with a big car, the two men missed their team and especially Morant. Clumsy in the first half at long distance, Memphis was too dependent on Ja Morant on the outside positions. It is for this reason that the Bucks quickly widened the gap. Fortunately for them, Morant can punch through any defense and Jaren Jackson Jr responded, but Brooks’ volume of play and Bane’s magic wrist would have allowed Memphis to have more alternation in attack tonight.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. In addition to being perfect in money time, Giannis was monstrous from the first minutes of play. Too strong and too powerful, the Greek wandered off and carried his team. Embarrassed by mistakes in the last act, he returns to the field to help his team. The return of Holiday will allow him to be used less in creation, even if he showed again this evening that when his leader is not on the field, he is the one who raises the ball and finds his teammates open. 33 points and 15 rebounds for him tonight.
✅ Khris Middleton. As a good lieutenant, he had a very good second period. Despite an address at half mast at 3 points (1-6), he finished the game with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. A full match and an impact on both sides of the pitch.
✅ Ja Morant. Faced with Giannis, he proved why he had to be listed among the possible MVPs at the end of the season. Lonely, he was amazing. Able to score as he sees fit, he also distilled many caviar to his teammates. A boss game for one of the best point guards in the NBA: 33 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds.
⛔Memphis shooters. Without Desmond Bane, the Memphis attack lost its balance, and the 3-point skill suffered. At halftime, the Grizzlies were 4 of 23 from afar. They will not do better in the second half since they will finish at 9 out of 40, including 2 out of 13 for the bench or 1 out of 11 for the Konchar / Williams duo.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (28-19) : reception of the Bulls on Friday.
Memphis (31-16) : continuation of the “road trip” with a trip to Denver on Friday.
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