Jaren Jackson Jr. scores 36, Memphis Grizzlies clinch No. 2 seed in win vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Memphis Grizzlies put the Milwaukee Bucks in a position that should often yield good results. Ja Morant was driving to the basket during a three-on-two transition opportunity, with Luke Kennard flanked to his right and Desmond Bane to his left.
The Bucks didn't want Morant to score at the rim, so the defense collapsed on him and stayed attached to Bane. Kennard was left open, so Morant slung a pass to the corner and Kennard made the Bucks pay.
That 3-pointer came during a 21-2 run that helped the Grizzlies pull away in the third quarter of a 137-114 victory against the Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
The win clinched the No. 2 seed in the playoffs for the Grizzlies (51-30). Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 36 points. He did so while playing 24 minutes.
The Bucks (58-23) made 20 3-pointers, but the Grizzlies tallied a season-high 38 assists to sweep the season series against Milwaukee.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
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Grizzlies go small
Xavier Tillman Sr. has been starting at center for most of the period with Steven Adams unavailable, but the Grizzlies made a lineup change on Friday. Luke Kennard joined Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. in a smaller starting group in place of Tillman. The result was a strong offense that was tough to stop, but Memphis had similar defensive issues that Taylor Jenkins had previously mentioned.
Ja Morant gets hand taped
Morant left the game in the first quarter and needed to have his right hand taped. The hand appeared to bother him early as he mostly dribbled with his left hand and didn't do much shooting. Morant's hand will be something to monitor over the next week. Since the Grizzlies won't be in the play-in tournament, they won't participate in a playoff game until at least April 15. Even though the Grizzlies were in control with a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, each of the starters returned to the game except Morant. He finished with 12 points and eight assists.
Three-point defense on the road
It's a good thing the Grizzlies finished the season with the most wins at home. Their 3-point defense on the road has been a cause for concern all season, and it showed again against Milwaukee's backups. Milwaukee hit 15 of 30 3-pointers in the first half. To put that in perspective, the 15 3-pointers made would rank fourth in the NBA. Grizzlies players often overhelp when opponents drive to the basket, and that leaves shooters open. Another way to attack the issue is Memphis guards have to do a better job of staying in front of players and limiting dribble penetration, but that's something Jenkins has been emphasizing.
What's next
The Grizzlies will end their regular season with a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday (2:30, Bally Sports Southeast). Memphis has clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, so it can sit starters if it chooses. If the Grizzlies sit their starters, Kennedy Chandler, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Vince Williams Jr. and a healthy Jake LaRavia could be in line for playing time. Williams and Lofton are on two-way contracts, so they will be unavailable for the Grizzlies after Sunday's game against the Thunder.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies clinch No. 2 seed in Western Conference vs Bucks
