The Milwaukee Bucks played a great first quarter but wilted under the pressure of the Grizzlies defense and three-point shooting.
Three things: the Bucks shot 6.3 percent (1-16) from three, shot 36.7 percent from the field, and Giannis Antetokounmpo got ejected midway through the fourth quarter.
The game started well enough for the Bucks. In the first quarter they were led by Khris Middleton‘s 12 point, three rebound performance as the Bucks ran out to a 27-23 lead.
But a 9-0 Grizzlies run to start the second quarter put the Bucks at a disadvantage they never climbed out of.
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By the time the game reached the halfway point the Bucks were in an 11 point hole.
Thanks to six made free throws in the first two minutes of the third quarter the Grizzlies were able to stretch their lead to 18.
As a credit to the resilience of the Bucks they trimmed the Memphis advantage down to just nine points with just four minutes left in the third quarter. But a trio of Memphis three-pointers put the Bucks out of commission.
The ingredients to this defeat are nothing new to the Bucks: three-point shooting, three-point defense, and turnovers.
At least the Bucks were able to rest their starters in preparation for tomorrow’s game against the Heat.
So there’s that.
For now let’s review the Bucks most recent effort (or lack thereof) in our Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions.
Next: Reactions: The Good