Jason Kidd’s Milwaukee Bucks were slowed down by a great defensive effort by the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum last night.
The Grizzlies stuck to their customary physical style of play and prevented the Bucks from establishing any rhythm in a 103-83 loss. Milwaukee shot just 36.7 percent from the field and went just 1-of-16 from three-point range.
“Being a young team on the road, we have to be able to meet their force and we just didn’t do that,” Coach Kidd told reporters. “They played the way Memphis has played forever.”
Milwaukee did match Memphis physically early in the night. The Bucks fed Greg Monroe and worked the paint for 14 points down low in the first quarter. They also earned nine attempts from the free throw line and made eight to take a 27-23 lead after 12 minutes.
But in the second, the Memphis defense locked down. The Bucks shot just 28.6 percent from the field and tallied only 14 points. But even with the rough period, Milwaukee trailed by just nine at the break.
However, after the half, the Grizz used their advantage on the scoreboard and went to the three ball. Memphis buried four three-pointers in the third and another five in the fourth quarter to run away with a victory.
“Once they got the lead and started firing off threes, they started making a couple and then the game just got out of hand. We got a little frustrated with some missed layups,” Jason said. “We just couldn’t get to our pace or get a stop.”
Four of those threes came of the hand of Matt Barnes, while Jeff Green added three and a team-high 21 points off the bench. Tony Allen ad 13 points, seven boards and a block for Memphis, and he also led the team’s stout defensive effort.
“That’s just how he plays,” Jason said of Allen. “He’s played like that since he’s been in the league. He’s a competitor. He has a nose for the ball on both ends.”
The frustrating Memphis defense got the best of the Bucks in the fourth quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a rough night, shooting just 2-of-10 to break an eight-game double-digit scoring streak. Late in the game, he was called for a charge and earned an ejection arguing the call. But Coach Kidd, as much as anything, was glad to see the emotion and fire out of his third-year star.
“There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion, for Giannis or for any of the guys,” J-Kidd told reporters. “Giannis cares. He got frustrated; he expressed himself and the referee disagreed.”
The Bucks did have some success in the paint, where they outscored the Grizzlies 46-40. Greg Monroe was really their only consistent source of offense. The big man led the way with 21 points and even rebounds, but even he left the game talking about the tough Memphis defense.
“They’re a good defensive team. They’ve been together for a long time; they’re real scrappy and physical,” Monroe said. “Then they have length with Marc (Gasol) on the inside. They’re a seasoned team that’s been through a lot of battles.”
NEXT UP
It’ll be a quick turnaround and another tough defensive squad up next for the Bucks (20-28).
Without even a day of rest, Milwaukee will turn around Friday night and host the Miami Heat (25-21), who are first in the Eastern Conference and second in the NBA, allowing just 95.6 points per game.
The Bucks used some strong defense of their own to beat the Heat 10 days ago. At American Airlines Arena in Miami, Milwaukee escaped with a decisive 91-79 win.
They’ll look to replicate that at the BMO Harris Bradley Center at 7 p.m. CT.
