With their 137-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies clinched the West’s second seed for the second consecutive season. The Bucks sat key players, including former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite shooting 65 percent in the first two quarters, the Grizzlies entered halftime trailing Milwaukee by a single point. However, Memphis outscored the Bucks 37-15 in the third quarter to pull ahead for good. The Grizzlies also had a season-high in assists, with 39.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 36 points, grabbed four boards, and made three blocks while shooting 12 of 18 from the field and 5 of 6 from beyond the arc to help the Grizzlies sweep the season series with the Bucks for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
The 12 to 13 connection is getting better right before our eyes.
Plus The Block Panther was on the prowl defensively.
Luke Kennard finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and made 5-of-7 from the 3-point line after being inserted into the starting lineup. As Kennard is getting more comfortable, it appears he may be the missing piece that the team has lacked.
Desmond Bane put up 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
John Konchar had 13 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high five steals as a reserve. Jitty had a good game.
Ja Morant added 12 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. “It’s very important,” Morant said after the game, about securing the second seed. “We’re a very good team at home, so we obviously want that home-court advantage. Definitely big time for us.”
While trying to contest a shot from former teammate Jae Crowder, Morant got his fingers caught in Crowder’s uniform and had to head to the locker room with a hand injury in the first quarter. He returned to the game in the second quarter with two fingers taped together on his right hand.
And he did this with one hand …
Morant eventually told reporters he was good when asked about the injury.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said after the game it wasn’t a significant injury. “We shouldn’t have any concerns – they did X-rays in the first half,” Jenkins said. “He [Morant] obviously had a little collision there in front of our bench. The X-rays were negative. Our medical team cleared him to come back and then we were just precautionary in that second half. Ice it up and hopefully we are good to go.”
Up Next
Regular season play for the Grizzlies will end on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 9th.
