Report Card: Second-Half Surge helps Grizzlies Handle Bucks

The Memphis Grizzlies traveled up to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday evening. The Grizzlies were looking to clinch the 2nd seed in the Western Conference and the Bucks had nothing to play for after locking down the best record in the NBA. Thus, it was a matchup of the Grizzlies starters vs. the Bucks reserve units.

The Grizzlies dug themselves in a hole early and allowed the Bucks’ role players to get hot from three; they were down by 7 points midway through the first. Luckily, Memphis was able to close the gap and enter the second quarter with a five-point lead. However, while the offense flowed, the defense was simply deemed optional. The Bucks persisted in lighting up the Grizzlies from the perimeter (15 made 3’s at 50% at halftime) and outscored them 41-35 in the second quarter as the Grizzlies faced a one-point deficit after the first half, 71-72.

The Grizzlies dug themselves in a hole early and allowed the Bucks’ role players to get hot from three; they were down by 7 points midway through the first. Luckily, Memphis was able to close the gap and enter the second quarter with a five-point lead. However, while the offense flowed, the defense was simply deemed optional. The Bucks persisted in lighting up the Grizzlies from the perimeter (15 made 3’s at 50% at halftime) and outscored them 41-35 in the second quarter as the Grizzlies faced a one-point deficit after the first half, 71-72.

In the second half, the Grizzlies came back to life. They picked things up on the defensive end and the offense exploded. Memphis got out to a 21-2 run and opened up a 16-point lead with about six minutes to go in the third. From there, Milwaukee could not find a counterpunch. The Grizzlies outscored the Bucks in each of the final two quarters to secure their 51st win of the season and the 2nd seed of the Western Conference with a score of 137-114.

It was an eventful night, so let’s unpack some things

Jaren Jackson Jr: A+ (36 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 stocks, 12-18 FG, 5-6 3PT)

Jaren Jackson Jr followed up a 40-point showing against the Pelicans with another display of basketball brilliance. The Grizzlies made it a point to give Jaren touches as soon as the ball was tipped, and boy was it a joy to witness. He would only score four points in the first quarter but then followed it up with a monstrous 18-point second quarter in which he went 2/2 from three and demolished the middle of the Bucks’ zone defense with nifty footwork, spins, and drop steps. He continued to do more of the same in the second half as he went 3-for-4 from deep with steady dominance in the paint.

Perhaps most impressive from Jaren’s masterclass was his playmaking in the post. He perceived the attention he was getting from the defense and shrewdly leveraged it to hit cutters for easy looks. This is a dangerous development to an already awe-inspiring arsenal.

Jaren Jackson Jr continues to singlehandedly shock the game of basketball. He’s making one final push for an All-NBA spot and it’s become crystal clear that featuring him in halfcourt settings can bring Memphis to the promised land come playoff time.

Ja Morant: B (12 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 5-8 FG, 0-1 3PT)

Ja Morant was in a groove at the beginning. He played more of a facilitator role during the game and picked apart the defense to find his teammates for quality looks, which included a stunning over-the-shoulder pass to Jaren Jackson Jr. He also found his way to the basket a few times with breathtaking acrobatic finishes.

It’s tough to properly evaluate Ja Morant’s night given what occurred to him early in the game. On a defensive play, his hand collided with former teammate Jae Crowder and he was clearly bothered. Morant went to the locker room shortly after but returned to the game midway through the second quarter with his hand taped up. Nevertheless, he still appeared to be slightly hurting throughout the game and had a quiet offensive night overall; he would only score 3 points in the second quarter and four in the second half.

Was his lack of scoring aggression solely due to the injury? Unsure, but all things considered, he did have a rather efficient night from the field and was able to tap into his playmaking prowess to affect the game.

Luke Kennard: A (19 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 7-9 FG, 5-7 3PT)

The greatest mystery of this NBA season? It’s shaping up to be uncovering why the LA Clippers didn’t think Luke Kennard was worthy of rotation minutes. That loss is the Grizzlies’ ever-so-gratifying gain. Kennard continued his Memphis renaissance in his third start with the team. He was an offensive clinic in the first quarter and went 3-for-5 from three-point land with some dazzling dimes.

He continued this offensive onslaught in the second half as he hit two more shots from deep and did a little bit of everything – hustle, rebounds, passes, shot creation, you name it. There is still so much to tap into with Kennard’s talent; not only can he light you up from outside, but he also moves gracefully on and off the ball to position himself for efficient shots nearly anywhere on the floor. Kennard’s IQ and high-level shot-creation ability are going to be critical factors for the Grizzlies this postseason.

Overall: B+

The Memphis Grizzlies had a stellar offensive showing, but poor perimeter defense still looms large. Too often, the Grizzlies overhelped on drives and collapsed in the paint while sagging off players on the perimeter, allowing the Bucks’ bench units to have an unusually active night from three. That’s the only thing that prevents this really good win from being a really great one. No matter, Memphis is second in the West in back-to-back years and will look to close things out with a bang in the season finale Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.