Prior to Friday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Milwaukee Bucks may be considering resting a number of regulars after securing the top seed in the NBA playoffs.
With their 105-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Milwaukee (58-22) clinched the NBA’s best record. Brook Lopez had 26 points and seven rebounds, while Bobby Portis had 27 points and 13 rebounds.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out because of right knee irritation and is supposed to rest again Friday. Milwaukee, which has finished with the league’s best record in three of the last five seasons, is led by Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 31.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
On Dec. 15, Milwaukee suffered one of its worst losses of the season against Memphis. Ja Morant led the Grizzlies to a 142-101 victory with 25 points.
Memphis (50-30) must win one of its remaining two games to secure the No. Western Conference’s second-ranked seed. On Wednesday, the Grizzlies suffered a 138-131 overtime defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans to kick off their season-ending three-game road trip.
Memphis rested Morant (hip), Luke Kennard (ankle), and Xavier Tillman (ankle), but Jaren Jackson Jr. had a season-high 40 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Morant has been acclimating to another job since getting back from his eight-game suspension. The Grizzlies’ offense still relies heavily on the two-time All-Star, but head coach Taylor Jenkins wants Morant to give shooting guard Desmond Bane and Jackson more chances to score.
For the second time in franchise history, Memphis has won 50 games consecutively after winning three straight from 2013 to 2015. The Grizzlies believe they are in good shape for the postseason after overcoming Morant’s suspension and injuries to Steven Adams (knee) and Brandon Clarke (season-ending Achilles).
Compared to the Grizzlies, Milwaukee has had a relatively stress-free season; however, with two regular-season games remaining, the Bucks are keeping an eye on a few injuries.
With soreness in his right knee, Khris Middleton left Wednesday’s game against Chicago in the first quarter and did not return. Additionally, the Bucks were without Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen, who were both out with injuries to their right ankles.
Jrue Holiday came up big against the Bulls, scoring 20 points, dishing out 15 assists, and grabbing eight rebounds despite the absence of several regulars.
