Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades from 119-106 loss to Memphis Grizzlies

D+. Thursday was far from Eric Bledsoe’s best outing, to say the least. Not only was Bledsoe largely unproductive and inefficient in his 20 minutes as he had three points on 1-of-8 shooting (0-for-2 from three, 1-for-2 from the foul line), along with five assists and a pair of steals. What was more concerning was the timidness he showed all day long when looking to bait defenders on pump fakes. If Bledsoe continues to show a wavering confidence in his shot going into the playoffs, that only sets off the same sort of problems that have dogged him in the last two playoff runs with the Bucks.. Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. ERIC BLEDSOE

D. It was a frustrating afternoon for Pat Connaughton as he continued his run in the Bucks’ starting lineup to close out the regular season. Connaughton was tasked with chasing around Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks and considering the third-year wing led the Grizzlies in scoring for the day, Connaughton’s aggressive defending did little in the way of slowing down Brooks and the Grizzlies offensive attack on the whole. In the end, Connaughton had a pair of points on 1-for-4 shooting (0-for-2 from deep), a board and a steal in 16 minutes.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. PAT CONNAUGHTON

C-. The Bucks may have had nothing to play for, but Khris Middleton’s quest to cement his 50-40-90 bid finally came to a head Thursday. And on that note, Middleton’s bid came crashing down very early due to his slow shooting start and that early hole set back Middleton’s limited showing overall. The two-time All-Star posted 14 points on 13 shots (0-for-1 from three), four rebounds as well as four assists, three turnovers in 20-and-a-half minutes. Middleton will surely welcome back his superstar teammate next time out and when the playoffs begin.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. KHRIS MIDDLETON

D.J. WILSON. B-. Making his lone start of the regular season, D.J. Wilson put in a fine showing spelling superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who served his one-game suspension Thursday. The Michigan product showed off his shooting stroke at times and it helped him finish with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and he hit a pair of triples on his five attempts from that range. Along with that, Wilson pulled down eight rebounds and had a steal, block and an assist over his 30 minutes on the court, the most for any Bucks player yesterday.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks. BROOK LOPEZ. B+. Of all the Bucks’ regular starters or rotation players, it was Brook Lopez who more or less looked like himself and turned in a worthwhile outing against the Grizzlies Thursday afternoon. Lopez didn’t have his spotless shooting from three as he went 2-for-8 from that range of the floor, but Lopez feasted at the basket as the Bucks’ ball handlers were quick to find him rolling towards the hoop. With 19 points on 14 shots, Lopez came within a board of a double-double and added a monster block as well as an assist over 19 minutes and 48 seconds of playing time. Lopez will certainly look to carry over his hot play into the playoffs.. Center