Milwaukee Bucks: 5 players Jrue Holiday has shut down on defense
By Dalton Sell
Ja Morant struggled to get past Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday
The Bucks split the season series with the Memphis Grizzlies at one game apiece, all of which was highlighted by some high-end play from both Jrue Holiday and Ja Morant.
Morant has quietly been having a stellar follow-up season to his Rookie of the Year award-winning campaign last year, leading the charge for Memphis as they fight for position in the playoff picture. As he continues working his way up the point guard ladder, he has gotten familiar with Holiday’s defense prowess throughout these two matchups.
Although Holiday has only guarded Morant for less than four and a half minutes this season, he has certainly left his mark. In that time, Morant has scored just eight total points on 2-for-8 shooting from the floor. Typically a threat closer to the basket, both of Morant’s made baskets scored on Holiday came from behind the arc, showcasing how the defensive stopper limited him from getting to his sweet spot in the paint.
Holiday likely would have spent more time guarding the young star had he not been matched up alongside Morant’s teammate Dillon Brooks, whom he has spent five and a half minutes defending. In that time, Brooks had shot 2-of-8 from the floor (0-for-4 from deep) in two matchups this season.
Holding the pair to just 4-for-16 shooting this season, Holiday has undoubtedly made a major impact defensively against the Grizzlies.