Grizzlies Throttle Bucks in Dominant Fashion

The Memphis Grizzlies proved their mettle once again, turning in an impressive 132-119 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, extending their winning streak to eight games over their last nine outings. Jaren Jackson Jr. spearheaded the offensive charge, scoring a game-high 37 points, including a blistering 16 in the crucial fourth quarter.

Jackson Jr.’s Historic Night

Jackson Jr.’s performance wasn’t just about the scoring. He also chipped in with five rebounds, two assists, and a block, becoming the fourth player in Grizzlies history to reach 30 games with 30-plus points, joining an elite company that includes Ja Morant, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Pau Gasol.

Grizzlies Overpower Bucks in the Paint

The Grizzlies’ dominance wasn’t confined to Jackson Jr.’s heroics. Santi Aldama contributed 23 points and eight rebounds off the bench, Desmond Bane stepped up in the absence of Ja Morant with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Zach Edey was a force in the paint with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Grizzlies’ size and strength created havoc for the Bucks, outrebounding them 61-36, including a commanding 22 offensive rebounds. This led to a 66-36 advantage in points in the paint.

Inside the Bucks’ Struggle

“It’s a repeat issue for us,” said coach Doc Rivers, after the game. “We’ve been struggling to finish games recently and we just couldn’t match the Grizzlies’ energy in the fourth quarter. They were relentless.”

The Bucks, hampered by the continued absence of Bobby Portis in the frontcourt, struggled to contain Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies’ physicality. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Grizzlies’ dominance.

Grizzlies Extend Winning Streak Against Bucks

This victory marks the Grizzlies’ seventh consecutive win against the Bucks, dating back to January 19, 2022. The Bucks’ defensive struggles are a growing concern, having allowed over 125 points in four of their last five games. Their position in the Eastern Conference standings is now precarious as the Indiana Pacers have surpassed them, and they are just holding onto the fifth spot by a narrow margin ahead of the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons.