The Milwaukee Bucks were defeated by the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies 122-99. Giannis was pretty good, with 37 points to go, 11 boards and four assists, but Dame scored four. Yes indeed. Meanwhile, Ja was great, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. He made it seem fun and effortless. Adjectives that don't describe the Bucks.

NBA.com Box Score

Game review

Ja Morant started this book in fire. The Bucks (particularly Delon Wright) simply didn't have an answer for him and he also singled out his teammates like Scotty Pippin Jr. On the other side of the ball, the Bucks had early success with ball movement and Brook inside, but ball movement slowed and it started raining bricks (also from Guess Who). The Grizzlies' high pressing was effective and unsettled Dame in particular (he scored his first basket a few minutes before the start of the half). Overall, Memphis dominated the quarter, including a 14-point run, and ended the frame with a decisive lead of 40-24.

Giannis took the lead well for most of the start of the second half and won the ball from his teammates in good positions. Longer AJax minutes (and a resting Ja) helped invigorate the Bucks on the other side. But Ja wouldn't rest forever, and combined with some questionable rebounds, the lead that had been cut to 7 dwindled back to 22. Without Giannis, and even with Giannis back, Milwaukee couldn't move the ball much. Their limited ball movement found some looks on the outside… where they shot 3 for 21. At the end of the half, the Grizzlies were the Harlem Globetrotters and the Bucks were the Washington Generals. At halftime it was 70-48 (!).

Giannis led the “attack” after the break, but the yes show wasn’t over yet. I counted three alley-ups in five minutes. Brook made two threes – hurrah! – but the bricks continued. Not even the free throw line was immune: The Bucks were below 50% at the end of the quarter, punctuated by Ajax missing two – TWO – with two seconds left. Even though Memphis was the worst team in the third quarter tonight, they outscored Milwaukee (the second-worst team in the third quarter) by seven points and led 99-70 after three points. Maybe that triggered a discount on Michelob Ultra at a local gas station.

The fourth quarter happened. Giannis scored a lot of points. Yes was yes. The playback was characterized by existentialist fears. The deficit became a little more respectable, and then it stopped coming. This game was over.

Statistics that stood out

I will choose the number 29. Ja was beautiful, Ja was +29 and Queen was -29. Mirrors are the thief of joy.

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