Final Score: Memphis Grizzlies 125, Milwaukee Bucks 104
Memphis felt like Memphis again last night. After missing four games with an ankle sprain, Ja Morant returned to the floor, and the energy in the FedExForum was electric.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:
- Q1: A sluggish start for Ja (0 points in 5 mins). Milwaukee, led by AJ Green’s shooting, jumped out to a 10-point lead.
- Q2: The “Ja Effect.” Morant sparked a 26-6 run, scoring 10 points and dishing out no-look assists. Memphis outscored Milwaukee 35-15 in the period to lead 60-50 at half.
- Q3: Jaren Jackson Jr. (JJJ) took over the defensive end with 5 blocks. Memphis stretched the lead to 15, though Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis kept it within striking distance.
- Q4: Ja Morant and Cam Spencer (19 pts) closed the door. A late 7-0 run by Memphis pushed the lead back to 20+, ending any hopes of a Bucks comeback.
Highlights & Key Stats
- Ja Morant: 17 points, 10 assists (Double-Double).
- JJJ: 24 points, 5 blocks (The anchor).
- The Bucks’ Problem: They committed 22 turnovers, which Memphis turned into 20 easy points.
Injuries & Outlook
- Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo remained OUT (calf strain). The Bucks are now 3-10 without him this season. Memphis was without Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke.
- Outlook: Memphis has now beaten Milwaukee eight straight times, all by double digits. They have the Bucks’ number. For Milwaukee, they look lost without Giannis’s gravity on the court.
- Next Game Fix: Milwaukee must address their spacing and ball security. Doc Rivers noted the ball “stopped moving,” leading to the turnover spike. Memphis simply needs to keep Ja healthy; they are a top-4 West team when he’s on the floor.
