MILWAUKEE (AP) – Jaren Jackson Jr scored 35 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to an 111-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday.
The Bucks lost for the fourth time in their past five games as they’ve faltered while trying to hold on to the number two seed in the Eastern Conference.
Jackson dominated in the second half, scoring 25 of his points while lifting the Grizzlies to their fifth straight victory over Milwaukee. He made 14 of 26 shots and a pair of critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 25 points and 10 rebounds while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Bobby Portis had 19 points and Malik Beasley 10.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers was more concerned after the game about the health of Antetokounmpo, who played 32 minutes on the second night of a back to back after getting a triple-double in a loss to Washington.
Both teams were short-handed with the Grizzlies missing Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart because of injuries and the Bucks playing without Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Patrick Beverley.
GG Jackson had 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds and Brandon Clarke, recently returned from an Achilles tendon injury that cost him 72 games this season, scored 14 points for Memphis.
The Grizzlies outscored the Bucks in the paint 76-36 as they pounded the ball inside and relied on the six-foot-11, 242-pound Jaren Jackson.
The Grizzlies went on a quick 9-0 run to grab a 98-90 lead with 4:17 remaining, sparked by seven points from Jaren Jackson. The Bucks did not get closer than a four-point deficit the rest of the way.
Antetokounmpo drew his fourth foul with 4:15 left in the third quarter and had to go to the bench, and the Grizzlies took advantage. Jaren Jackson scored nine points in the remainder of the quarter as Memphis outscored Milwaukee 15-8 to erase a six-point deficit and take a 79-78 lead into the final period.
Lillard missed his third consecutive game and second with a right groin injury, and Beverley sat out with a sprained right ankle suffered in the Bucks’ loss at Washington.
The Bucks also were without Middleton, who scored 24 points against the Wizards but has not normally played in back-to-back games this season.
Rivers said Lillard had a good workout and could return against Toronto.
Since Rivers was hired as coach on January 26 to replace Adrian Griffin, the trio of Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Lillard has played together only six times out of 40 games.
