What does Patrick Beverley bring to the table for the Milwaukee Bucks?
What does new goaltender Patrick Beverley bring to the table? PAX correspondent Jim Okzarski offers his thoughts on the Point Forward Podcast.
MEMPHIS – The Milwaukee Bucks look to enter the All-Star break on a high as they face the injury-plagued Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 PM on Thursday at FedExForum.
Milwaukee (35-20) has won two of its last three games under coach Doc Rivers while Memphis (19-36) has lost nine of its last 10 games.
The Bucks and Grizzlies were tied 57-57 in the first half, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (13), Damian Lillard (13) and Brook Lopez (12) reaching double figures. JJ Jackson II has 19 players off the bench to lead the Grizzlies while Vince Williams Jr. has 11 and six rebounds.
The Grizzlies led 29-26 after the quarter-hour mark despite having only nine players available, thanks to a late 3-pointer from JJ Jackson II over Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jackson II for Memphis scored 11 points, while Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 10 points.
Will Giannis play tonight?
Doc Rivers said before the game that the Bucks' MVP candidate will play tonight in Memphis. There were some questions about Antetokounmpo's availability before the game, as he was downgraded from possible to questionable after the team's shootout in Memphis with right patellar tendinitis.
Antetokounmpo went through his usual pregame routine at FedExForum before Rivers' announcement.
He has been playing through the injury since Feb. 4 at Utah State.
What's the Bucks' record without Giannis?
After having offseason surgery on his left knee, Antetokounmpo is in the starting lineup more often for the first time in years with the Bucks. He only missed two games (November 15 and January 17). The team is 1-1 in those games.
Milwaukee Bucks injury report
- Khris Middleton out (sprained left ankle)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right patellar tendonitis)
- Damian Lillard, possible (left ankle inflammation)
Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
- Forward: Jae Crowder, Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
Grizzlies injury report: Memphis is missing several players for the game against the Bucks
Memphis, which has been a Western Conference contender the past two years, has been ravaged by injury. Grizzlies coach (and former Bucks assistant) Taylor Jenkins The team will play without the following players:
- Ja Morant (Right shoulder surgery)
- Marcus Smart (Right ring finger is torn)
- Desmond Bane (sprained left ankle)
- Derek rose (pain in right ankle)
- Brandon Clarke (left Achilles tendon surgery)
- Jake Laravia (sprained left ankle)
- Scottie Pippen Jr. (lower back pain)
Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr He is questionable with soreness in his right quadriceps and John Konchar is questionable with soreness in his left quadriceps. Luke Kennard Questionable with soreness in left knee.