Obligation of result for Bucks and the Grizzliesrespectively on three and two defeats in a row. At home and without Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, the task looked difficult for Memphis, but Ja Morant took matters into his own hands. The Bucks, still deprived of Khris Middleton, were unable to do anything against the leader opposite.
Clumsiness is in the spotlight at the start of the first quarter. The two teams took time before settling the sights and it was Brook Lopez at the head of the racket who opened the scoring. Jaren Jackson Jr. responds with a floater and the match is finally on. Ja Morant, after a lobbed pass that crashed onto the board, launched the benchmark match at the start of the season and Memphis gradually broke away. The leader takes the game on his own and finds Zach Edey on a fake pass, who concludes with the foul. The activity takes place in Memphis and despite Giannis' responses, rookie Jaylen Wells shines behind the arc to bring the Grizzlies to +6.
The Ja Morant Show
The “Greek Freak” kept the Bucks alive as the end of the first quarter approached thanks to his activity under the circle. Imitated by Taurean Prince with two saving 3-pointers, Milwaukee comes within one point.
But Ja Morant is omnipresent. Interception, “and one” off balance on Gary Trent Jr… The Bucks have no solutions to offer in the face of the All-Star's thunderous start to the match. Ja Morant makes a blind pass to Santi Aldama and the score climbs to +10 for the Grizzlies. Carried by the crazy energy of its star, Memphis defends, is attentive to the Bucks' passing lines and closes this first quarter 40-24!
Bobby Portis at 3-points, then Giannis in penetration brings the Bucks back to -7, but that's when Ja Morant signs the action of the match. Pinned to the ground, the leader dunks Aldama with a lobbed pass above an inert defense. Everywhere, unstoppable, the Grizzlies star continues with a 3-pointer and a full-speed drive through four Bucks. Time out for Doc Rivers, while everything is going too fast for the Bucks. At +22 for Memphis, Damian Lillard does not exist and the match is already over at halftime.
At the restart, only Giannis Antetokounmpo survives, but the Grizzlies are too far ahead. Ja Morant gets rid of Gary Trent Jr's defense too easily to find his teammates. The leader continues his show with a fake pass, transformed into an “alley-oop” for Santi Aldama who calmly converts high. Milwaukee's defensive withdrawal is non-existent and the leader is doing it again with Zach Edey. The 3rd and 4th quarters are one-sided, while the Memphis “second unit” extinguishes any opposing hope with a nice ball circulation between Scottie Pippen Jr, Wells and Brandon Clarke at the conclusion. End of the match: 122-99, +23 for Memphis.
With 26 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, Ja Morant explained after the meeting “that he came to be aggressive”. The Bucks, who are suffering a fourth consecutive defeat, can attest to this…
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Ja Morant, the magician. Aggressive in attack, the leader also played with binoculars throughout the match. His 14 passes, including some jewels, are to be shown in all schools.
– Damian Lillard non-existent. 4 points at 1/12 on shots. The Bucks leader could not help Giannis, who did everything to make his team exist with his 37 points and 11 rebounds.
– The pleasant surprise Jaylen Wells. Integrated into the major five following the absence of Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, the rookie signed a good score with 16 points and 7 rebounds, 3/6 behind the arc.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
