For Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, it was just another day at the office as they played their final Milwaukee Bucks preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 124-116. This was the final preseason game before the opening night of the regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, October 26.
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With MarJon Beauchamp and AJ Green playing with some explosive intensity, the Bucks overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Beauchamp scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shots, including 4 of 5 three-pointers, in the game’s conclusion on Friday night. Three three-pointers were made by Green.
Big Three Bucks Make Their Debut
With Khris Middleton making his preseason debut, Bucks fans saw the Big Three for the first time, even though Antetokounmpo and Lillard made their debuts against the Los Angeles Lakers. Alongside Dame, Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Middleton at the start of the season was Malik Beasley, who appears to be the fifth starter overall.
In the first five minutes of the game, Middleton was 0 for 3 with two assists, Antetokounmpo had eight points, two assists, and Dame had five points. The Bucks overtook Memphis with speed, leading 18–12.
In the second quarter, Lopez and Lillard returned to the court, giving the Bucks a 38-35 lead. Beasley, Jae Crowder, and Lopez also contributed to the team’s 9-0 three-point shooting record. Middleton played for twelve minutes at halftime, having played seven minutes in the second quarter. He was moving really well and fast, which is encouraging considering that he had knee surgery in May.
Antetokounmpo led the club with 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, demonstrating his continued excellence. While only going 2 for 8 from the free-throw line, he went 12 for 18 (66%), from the floor. After three quarters of play, Giannis had only played 27 minutes.
Lillard finished the game with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 2 of 9 from three-point range, three assists, and three rebounds in his 27 minutes of play.
Brook Lopez finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and a technical foul for arguing with the official outside the court following his fifth foul in the third quarter.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers will square off in their first regular-season match on October 26. Bally Sports Wisconsin, NBA League Pass, and YouTube TV will all carry the action.
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