One look at the Memphis Grizzlies schedule will show you that there haven’t been many wins against top-tier teams with healthy rosters.
The Milwaukee Bucks were missing Jrue Holiday, but they’ve gone 4-2 without the all-defensive guard this season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, they’re still one of the NBA’s top teams.
None of those players were major factors on Thursday night. Memphis put together one of its best performances of the season in a 142-101 blowout win against the Bucks.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies (19-9) by recording his third triple-double of the season. He finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists without playing in the fourth quarter. Dillon Brooks added 18 points and four assists.
Antetokounmpo scored 19 points and was the only Bucks starter to finish in double figures. Milwaukee (20-8) had won five of its previous six games.
The win extended the Grizzlies’ winning streak to seven games.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
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WATCH:Khris Middleton, Dillon Brooks get tangled up in Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks game
Grizzlies reserves shine
Milwaukee’s gameplan seemed to be working, but it wasn’t enough to stop the high-octane Grizzlies attack. The Bucks held Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brooks each to below 50% shooting in the first half, but what followed was one of the best performances by the Grizzlies bench this season. Tyus Jones, David Roddy and Brandon Clarke all shined as the bench scored 35 points in the first half to help build a 70-41 halftime lead.
Santi Aldama and Ziaire Williams joined the fun in the second half. Jones, Roddy, Aldama and Clarke all finished in double figures as the Grizzlies scored 80 bench points.
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A team effort slows down Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee offense starts with Antetokounmpo, and the Grizzlies did a good job of making every shot tough for the 6-foot-11 forward. Jackson started off guarding Antetokounmpo, but after he picked up his first foul, Steven Adams became the primary defender. Clarke and Aldama also took turns guarding Antetokounmpo. The Grizzlies used different defenders and showed Antetokounmpo crowds when he drove the basketball.
Adams finished the game with five blocks in large part because of his ability to play sound defense against Antetokounmpo. Jackson battled foul trouble and was limited to four points on two shots in 13 minutes. Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points on 5-for-13 shooting in 26 minutes. He shot 8 of 13 on free throws.
Dillon Brooks brings the energy on both ends
Brooks drove into the chest of the Bucks defense with one of the NBA’s best shot-blockers closing in from behind. As Brooks rose up and attempted a layup, Brook Lopez hit him on the wrist, and the play resulted in an and-one. The energy of Brooks was noticeable throughout the game. He and Khris Middleton got tangled up in the first quarter. After Brooks fell to the ground and a foul was whistled on Middleton, Brooks pumped up the crowd.
Brooks continued to make his case as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA on Thursday. He held Middleton scoreless in the first half. When Memphis led 90-56 after Middleton’s first made basket, Brooks looked over to the bench and asked if those were Middleton’s first points. Brooks wasn’t happy to find out. Planning on shutting out an NBA all-star is why Brooks is becoming one of the main pieces to a successful season. Middleton shot one of 12 and scored three points.
What’s next
The Grizzlies couldn’t have had a better homestand. Memphis went 5-0 and ended the trip with a dominant win against one of the NBA’s best teams. Memphis will travel to Oklahoma City Saturday for a matchup against the Thunder. The Grizzlies have won both meetings this season.
Update on Youtube Ja Morant earns 7th career triple-double in just 3 quarters of Grizzlies-Bucks blowout 😮
Ja Morant earns 7th career triple-double in just 3 quarters of Grizzlies-Bucks blowout 😮 | #shorts
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