Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (50-30 15-24 away) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (58-22, 32-8 home)

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out, PCL Sprain), Santi Aldama (Doubtful, Elbow Soreness), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles Tear), Jake LaRavia (Out, Calf Soreness), Ziaire Williams (Out, Foot/Ankle Soreness)

MILWAUKEE: Grayson Allen (Out, Ankle Sprain), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Out, Knee Soreness), Pat Connaughton (Out, Ankle Sprain), Jrue Holiday (Out, Rest), Brook Lopez (Out, Rest), Khris Middleton (Out, Knee Soreness)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

MILWAUKEE: Jevon Carter, Wes Matthews, Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder, Bobby Portis (but really who actually knows)

The Memphis Grizzlies have two more regular season games, and this outing is the most crucial for their postseason seeding. A win here, regardless of the Kings result, will lock the Grizzlies into the 2nd seed for the 2nd-consecutive season. A loss, along with a Kings win, would make the Grizzlies sweat it out against an Oklahoma City Thunder squad vying for a spot in the play-in tournament. A loss from both the Grizzlies and Kings could also lock up the 2 seed for Memphis, for what it’s worth.

But let’s just root for a win! Enjoy Easter care-free. If the Grizzlies want to rest their starters — or even play them for just the first half — they could do so without any stakes. Tonight, the Grizzlies need a win to give them homecourt advantage for at least 2 rounds.

The Milwaukee Bucks are making it a smidge easier for the Grizzlies to wrap up the 2nd seed — almost like Mike Budenholzer is giving his protégé Taylor Jenkins the opportunity with a gift box, wrapping paper, and a bow. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez all are out with soreness and for rest.

However, as we’ve seen with the Grizzlies recently, no game in the NBA is a guaranteed win. After all, the Grizzlies almost blew a double-digit lead at home against a Portland Trail Blazers team that was mainly playing guys signed off G League rosters.

This game is the perfect opportunity to get ready for the postseason, especially with the stakes at hand.

Get one last tune-up

With the exception of Santi Aldama, who was injured in the Pelicans game after a tie-up with Larry Nance Jr., the Grizzlies have everybody who’s been in the rotation the majority of the time since the All-Star break.

This is a great chance to get a tune up ahead of the playoffs.

The Grizzlies have struggled putting together a full 48 minutes, blowing double-digit leads in 3 straight games. There’s often been trouble with minor details of execution leading to lapses on both sides of the ball. Some of it has been effort related as well.

The Grizzlies could use this game as a chance to nail the details down before the postseason, in hopes they can clinch the 2nd seed tonight. A lot of it comes from effort and execution: crashing the glass, making sure the rotations are crisp, and moving the basketball.

In the meantime, they could also nail down some stuff to test. How can they unlock this dominant version of Jaren Jackson Jr. we’ve seen step up in Ja Morant’s absence with their star point guard on the court? How can Tyus Jones find a similar groove as a starter as he does as a reserve? What lineup combinations are ones Taylor Jenkins can roll to in the postseason?

This game could help them answer these questions and set a tone for the postseason.

This game isn’t a slouch for them either. There are a slew of veterans playing in this game between players like Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder, Wes Matthews, and Jae Crowder. Jevon Carter is a defensive menace. Then you never know who answers the bell when their number is called upon.

Prediction

I’m sure the Grizzlies are going to have some urgency with the seeding stakes at hand, looking to lock in for a full 48 minutes to rest up for the postseason for the regular season finale on Sunday. The opportunity is there for the taking, and I see the Grizzlies seizing it.

Score prediction: Grizzlies – 120, Bucks 107