Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 127-114 win over Memphis Grizzlies
By Adam McGee
Doing it all on defense
The Bucks gave up 114 points to the Grizzlies, but with Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 43 points and making nine triples, their defense was remarkably more stout than that final tally would suggest.
The Bucks did an exceptional job of protecting the rim against the league leaders in points in the paint, holding the Grizzlies to just half of their season average in that category.
Brook Lopez was phenomenal with his interior defense from the opening tip, and likely would have contributed even more if it wasn’t for a couple of questionable fouls called against him early on. When Robin Lopez came in to replace his brother, there was no real drop-off either. RoLo showcased textbook use of the principle of verticality to deny Memphis on multiple occasions on their drives to the rim.
Beyond excelling for large spells in their base scheme, when Jaren Jackson Jr.’s offensive explosion left the Bucks chasing a deficit, a pivot to a small-ball, switching approach turned the game on its head in a matter of minutes.
A group of George Hill, Wesley Matthews, Sterling Brown, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo provided perfect balance for Milwaukee, particularly as the three smallest players in that lineup are exceptional post defenders for their size. Matthews and Hill, in particular, had standout moments defending bigs who were trying to back them down.
In a three-minute stretch together, that lineup posted a net rating of 150 (off. rating of 183.3, def. rating of 33.3) and was a +9 in the box score.
The Bucks haven’t been tested a whole lot lately, but this game proved incredibly instructive as it offered up an important reminder of just how accomplished, dynamic, and versatile their defense can be.