8:05 PM EST (NBA) - MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES PREVIEW AND FREE PICKS
Time: 08:00 P.M. EST Venue: FedExForum Dave Joerger is hoping a night off for some of his starters pulls the Memphis Grizzlies out of a late-season malaise. Being without Mike Conley likely wouldn't help matters, however. Memphis tries to avoid a third straight loss Saturday night when it hosts the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also struggling. The Grizzlies (45-20) have seen their advantage for second place in the Western Conference shrink during a 4-6 stretch. They've averaged 92.0 points and 15.5 turnovers in that span compared to 100.3 and 12.8 previously. Concerned that his team was becoming fatigued, Joerger rested starters Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and key reserve Tony Allen in a 107-87 loss at Washington on Thursday, concluding a 1-3 trip. Even with some fresher legs getting more minutes, the Grizzlies shot 38.8 percent and were 3 of 19 from 3-point range." We've got some complacency going on," Joerger said. Winning NBA Picks. "Hopefully we've addressed that." I've been trying to taper minutes back, kind of knowing the big-picture thing." Conley, who is listed as questionable, sat out after twisting his right ankle in Wednesday's loss at Boston. He had 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting that night after a 12-game funk in which he averaged 11.8 points on 36.4 percent shooting. Memphis had been 4-0 without him prior to Thursday's defeat. The Grizzlies have committed 44 turnovers over the last two games, which may continue to be a concern with Conley sidelined. Beno Udrih, Nick Calathes and Russ Smith combined for 16 points on 3-of-19 shooting with nine assists and seven turnovers while splitting point guard duties versus Washington. Courtney Lee was 3 for 10 and is shooting 25.5 percent over his last six games. Milwaukee (34-31) is three games back of the Wizards for fifth place in the East. After losing eight of 11, the bigger concern may be holding off the teams behind them, including Indiana, which has pulled within 3 1/2 games after winning 13 of 15. The Bucks are seeking just their third playoff appearance in nine years." All good teams have gone through a stretch in the season where they have lost a couple, but they have found a way to stay together and fight, and that's what we're doing right now," coach Jason Kidd told the team's official website. Milwaukee lost a seventh straight road game Thursday, falling 109-103 in overtime to the Pacers. The team has averaged 91.6 points on 40.7 percent shooting during that skid with Khris Middleton shooting 37.6 percent." Free Picks. Our guys fought tonight on a back-to-back," Kidd said. "Short-handed, guys stepped up. Everybody gave everything they had. There's a lot of good stuff on the road against a team that is playing extremely well." O. J. Mayo didn't play due to a sore right hamstring, though he's listed as probable. Jerryd Bayless is questionable after missing two games with a sore right ankle. The Bucks ended a seven-game slide in the series in a 93-92 home win Nov. 8, holding Memphis to a season-worst 35.4 percent shooting as Conley, Lee and Gasol combined to hit 9 of 28. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 18 points.
Time: 08:00 P.M. EST Venue: FedExForum Dave Joerger is hoping a night off for some of his starters pulls the Memphis Grizzlies out of a late-season malaise. Being without Mike Conley likely wouldn't help matters, however. Memphis tries to avoid a third straight loss Saturday night when it hosts the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also struggling. The Grizzlies (45-20) have seen their advantage for second place in the Western Conference shrink during a 4-6 stretch. They've averaged 92.0 points and 15.5 turnovers in that span compared to 100.3 and 12.8 previously. Concerned that his team was becoming fatigued, Joerger rested starters Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and key reserve Tony Allen in a 107-87 loss at Washington on Thursday, concluding a 1-3 trip. Even with some fresher legs getting more minutes, the Grizzlies shot 38.8 percent and were 3 of 19 from 3-point range." We've got some complacency going on," Joerger said. Winning NBA Picks. "Hopefully we've addressed that." I've been trying to taper minutes back, kind of knowing the big-picture thing." Conley, who is listed as questionable, sat out after twisting his right ankle in Wednesday's loss at Boston. He had 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting that night after a 12-game funk in which he averaged 11.8 points on 36.4 percent shooting. Memphis had been 4-0 without him prior to Thursday's defeat. The Grizzlies have committed 44 turnovers over the last two games, which may continue to be a concern with Conley sidelined. Beno Udrih, Nick Calathes and Russ Smith combined for 16 points on 3-of-19 shooting with nine assists and seven turnovers while splitting point guard duties versus Washington. Courtney Lee was 3 for 10 and is shooting 25.5 percent over his last six games. Milwaukee (34-31) is three games back of the Wizards for fifth place in the East. After losing eight of 11, the bigger concern may be holding off the teams behind them, including Indiana, which has pulled within 3 1/2 games after winning 13 of 15. The Bucks are seeking just their third playoff appearance in nine years." All good teams have gone through a stretch in the season where they have lost a couple, but they have found a way to stay together and fight, and that's what we're doing right now," coach Jason Kidd told the team's official website. Milwaukee lost a seventh straight road game Thursday, falling 109-103 in overtime to the Pacers. The team has averaged 91.6 points on 40.7 percent shooting during that skid with Khris Middleton shooting 37.6 percent." Free Picks. Our guys fought tonight on a back-to-back," Kidd said. "Short-handed, guys stepped up. Everybody gave everything they had. There's a lot of good stuff on the road against a team that is playing extremely well." O. J. Mayo didn't play due to a sore right hamstring, though he's listed as probable. Jerryd Bayless is questionable after missing two games with a sore right ankle. The Bucks ended a seven-game slide in the series in a 93-92 home win Nov. 8, holding Memphis to a season-worst 35.4 percent shooting as Conley, Lee and Gasol combined to hit 9 of 28. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 18 points.
