NBA fans were ruthless as Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks got dismantled by Memphis Grizzlies: “GIANNIS WHAT HAPPENDDDUHHHHH”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks were shredded 142-101 on the road by Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. The beatdown was so thorough that Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer raised the white flag late in the third quarter.
After the game, basketball fans promptly roasted Antetokounmpo for the loss:
“GIANNIS WHAT HAPPENDDDUHHHHH”
@ESPNNBA GIANNIS WHAT HAPPENDDDUHHHHH
This one was a little nastier than some of the other remarks:
“Run and Dunk man exposed!”
@statmuse Run and Dunk man exposed! https://t.co/7wBJYaiR0c
Giannis Antetokounmpo played just 26 minutes and ended the night with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. He was a game-worst -29, which meant that the Bucks were outscored by that many points during his stint on the floor.
The Bucks gave up 70 points in the first half and 142 in the game, the most they’ve surrendered this season. Milwaukee didn’t have defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday, but the dominance by Memphis was just overwhelming.
Budenholzer’s team had no answer for everything the Memphis Grizzlies did on both ends of the floor. What was so glaring about the jaw-dropping loss was how the Bucks were manhandled by the Grizzlies in rebounding.
After 3Q:
117 — Grizzlies
71 — Bucks
Giannis is playing. https://t.co/FtEEwrF91J
Memphis came into the game as the NBA’s No. 1 rebounding team with Milwaukee as No. 2. The Grizzlies retained that status by outhustling Milwaukee on the boards 56-39. The Bucks gave up 14 more possessions to the Grizzlies via offensive rebounds.
The Memphis Grizzlies, the league’s most potent scoring team in the paint, averaging 57.3 PPG, murdered the Bucks inside the shaded lane. 86 of the Grizzlies’ points came in the interior, manhandling the Bucks’ frontline of Giannis Antetokounmpo and another seven-footer in Brook Lopez.
Perhaps Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks just had an off-night or perhaps the schedule has something to do with it. Milwaukee played their fourth game in seven nights, with three of them on the road.
The Grizzlies were having too much fun while blowing out the Bucks 😅
(via @BallySportsSO) https://t.co/Z3cJiMKsJT
Whatever the case may be, the humiliating loss will not be something the Bucks will easily forget.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks should be fine after the stinging defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are 7-3 in their last 10 games, including the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. “The Greek Freak” has been in the MVP rankings for most of the season despite a lackluster performance at FedEx Forum.
The Bucks just beat the Golden State Warriors without Jrue Holiday and still have one of the best and most complete teams in the NBA. Mike Budenholzer has a battle-tested crew, which should only be motivated after a humiliating defeat.
Milwaukee’s December schedule, however, doesn’t get any easier. How they will react to this drubbing by the Grizzlies could affect how they close out the year. Five of the Bucks’ next seven games will be away from Fiserv Forum.
They will face the New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls on the road before December ends. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will also host the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves to cap off their year.
Pelicans announce sellout crowd for Monday's game vs. Milwaukee Bucks 👏
nba.com/pelicans/news/…
Six of those teams are potential playoff contenders, which will test the Bucks’ poise and character, particularly on the road. The loss to the Grizzlies should spur them on to be better and finish the year strong. Milwaukee was a sneaky favorite to win it all this season and should be the case moving forward.