Milwaukee is stunned by Memphis.
The Milwaukee Bucks lost their 2023-2024 NBA regular-season home opener 101-111 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night at the Fifth Third Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
With their second straight loss, second-place Milwaukee (47-29) closed to within one game of the third-place Cleveland Cavaliers (46-30) in the 바카라사이트 Eastern Conference.
With Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton out with injuries, Brook Lopez (25 points, 10 rebounds), Yanis Antetokounmpo (21 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists), and Bobby Portis (19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) were unable to prevent the loss.
Meanwhile, 13th-ranked Memphis (26-50) in the Western Conference rattled off two straight wins. Jaren Jackson Jr. (35 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) led the offense, while GG Jackson (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Brandon Clark (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) chipped in.
Milwaukee got off to a bad start. It started with five straight points from Lopez, but it was short-lived. They gave up back-to-back steals to Jackson Jr. and a three-pointer to Luke Kennard. Portis answered with a three-pointer, but Milwaukee struggled with uneven scoring distribution and ended the first quarter down 22-26.
In the second quarter, Milwaukee continued to fall behind. They allowed Jake Larabia and Jackson Jr. to score from beyond the arc, and Clarke scored six straight points to end the quarter. Milwaukee responded with baskets from Portis and Jay Crowder. At halftime, the score was 49-53.
Milwaukee picked up the momentum in the second half, but it was short-lived. Pat Connaughton, Lopez, and Malik Beasley exploded for three-pointers to take the lead. Antetokounmpo added to the mix. But they faltered, unable to control Jackson Jr. When the third quarter ended, the score was 78-79, with Milwaukee still trailing.
The fourth quarter was no different. After back-to-back misses from Clarke, Milwaukee gave up a dunk and then a wedge three-pointer to Jackson Jr.