The defending champion wins the following preseason game, and this time Stephen Curry has improved his play. The chef leads Warrior in scoring, but once more it’s the youthful players who prevail. The Memphis Grizzlies rookie trio is effective.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has plenty of time to consider his options.
A reporter questioned him about his plans while he was rested for the Bucks’ opening preseason game: “I want to vanish after I retire. I wish to have Tim Duncan’s success. Where in the world is Tim Duncan at this moment?”Fortunately, there is still some time left before that, so the Greek may keep entertaining us with his sayings.Now for the athletic aspect: The Bucks benched Joe Ingles, Pat Connaughton, Wesley Matthews (ankle), Khris Middleton (wrist), and Wesley Matthews in addition to Giannis (knee). There were some regular-season starters, though, like Jrue Holiday (15, 6/14 FG), Grayson Allen (15, 3 assists), and Jrue Holiday (5 points, 3 assists, 2/6 FG in 15 minutes), who all had quiet nights.
Statistics
Jordan Nwora (leading scorer, 21, 8 rebounds, 7/15 FG), Sandro Mamukelashvili (15, 6/11 FG), and Sandro Mamukelashvili from the bench helped the home team build a double-digit lead in the third quarter until the Bucks defense crumbled.Memphis turned the game around in the fourth quarter, winning 41:26, and celebrated their first win of the preseason.At Memphis, none of the stars were present, and nine regular rotation players, including Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, remained on the bench. Three rookies, in particular, stood out: David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. All three were crucial to the Grizzlies’ 18:3 surge in the final period. With 18 points (5/12 FG, plus 5 rebounds), Roddy led the squad in scoring. Lofton Jr. added 17 points (6/8 FG) and 5 rebounds, and LaRavia scored 15 points (4/8 FG, 68/FT).Even before the game, there was positive Steven Adams-related Grizzlies news to share. The center has extended his contract early, adding two more years through 2025, as the organization revealed. His new two-year contract will pay him $25.2 million and go into effect next summer.