Home Basketball LOSING STREAK: Giannis Antetokounmpo bounces back after a rough first half, but the Bucks still suffer a humiliating loss to the Grizzlies in the absence of Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton

LOSING STREAK: Giannis Antetokounmpo bounces back after a rough first half, but the Bucks still suffer a humiliating loss to the Grizzlies in the absence of Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton

Basketball — 04/04/2024

The Milwaukee Bucks returned home with the intention of preparing for the postseason.The Bucks arrived at Fiserv Forum for their five-game homestand following a disappointing Tuesday night loss to the Washington Wizards, 117-113.A graphic featuring a photo of Bobby Portis and AJ Green helping lift Giannis Antetokounmpo up. Text on the graphic reads, "Bucks 101, Grizzlies 111."Milwaukee plays two road games to end the regular season after that span, so this was a terrific chance to settle into a rhythm.

Bucks 101, Grizzlies 111 in the box scoreHowever, despite having players absent and defensive problems, the Bucks looked disoriented during their 111-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.With 25 points, Brook Lopez led the Bucks, going 9 for 14 and 5 for 7 from three-point range.

On 10 of 23 shots, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points, dishing out eight assists and grabbing seven rebounds.Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard are absent.Bucks guard Damian Lillard missed his third straight game. He missed Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards due to a strain in his right groin. He also sat out the game against the Atlanta Hawks for personal reasons.Trung phong Bucks, Brook Lopez, ném bóng vào rổ trước trung vệ Trey Jemison của Grizzlies trong hiệp một vào tối thứ Tư.Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated, “Feeling a lot better,” at his media availability prior to the game. “I worked out extremely well yesterday. I worked out on the court today.”Khris Middleton, the starting guard for the Bucks, is also sidelined due to injury management.Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame a poor first half performance.Antetokounpo only managed 4 of 14 points in the first half, and the Bucks trailed 53 to 49 going into the locker room. 61.6% was Antetokounmpo’s pregame shooting percentage.The fact that Antetokounmpo persisted in grasping at his bothersome left hamstring worried Bucks supporters even more.However, Antetokounmpo returned to the court to begin the second half.In the third quarter, he assisted in the Bucks’ 67-57 lead.The return of Jaren Jackson Jr. to the GrizzliesMemphis took a 79-78 lead at the end of the third quarter thanks to a strong finish from Grizzlies standout Jaren Jackson Jr.Then, in the first moments of the fourth quarter, Memphis jumped out to an 83-78 advantage.With 7:15 left, the Bucks came back to grab a 90-89 lead.However, Jackson scored a layup and a three-pointer, and the Grizzlies won the remaining minutes of play.Jackson scored a game-high 35 points in the end.The Bucks are humiliated by the Grizzlies once more.......The Bucks lost one of their worst games of the season when they played each other last. The Bucks lost 113-110 at Memphis before the all-star break.

That made Rivers say a few harsh things.”We had some guys here, we had some guys in Cabo,” Rivers stated.The Bucks’ record sans Lillard in five numbers, 1–7Forty Only six games have been played by the Bucks’ Big Three—Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Lillard—since Rivers assumed the bench position on January 29.The Bucks utilized ten players in the first half.This season, Antetokounmpo has shot less than 40% in 4 games.
January 27, 24 Lopez last scored 20 points or more against New Orleans, when he scored 24.
Lopez led the Grizzlies with 25 points.