Bucks lose to Grizzlies in last game before All-Star break

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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes to the basket against Lamar Stevens #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on February 15, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Ziaire Williams and GG Jackson scored 27 points apiece, and the Memphis Grizzlies held on for a 113-110 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night in the last game for both teams before the All-Star break.

Vince Williams added 18 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis. Ziaire Williams' points were a career high.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points and 12 assists, his 43rd double-double of the season. Damian Lillard finished with 24 points and seven assists. Bobby Portis added 15 points and Brook Lopez had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Memphis held a nine-point lead with 49 seconds left, but consecutive 3-pointers from Malik Beasley brought the Bucks within 113-110 with 29.2 left. Milwaukee had the last possession, but a scramble at midcourt for the ball took up a lot of the remaining clock, and Lillard's 3-pointer at the horn was short as Memphis won its second straight.

While the teams were deadlocked at the half, Memphis took the lead to nine points on a couple of occasions near the midway point of the third. But the Grizzlies' depleted frontline could do little to stop Antetokounmpo going downhill on his drives to the basket.

Three quick buckets inside with about 5 minutes to play gave Milwaukee a 100-98 lead. The teams would trade leads until a 3-pointer from Jackson and an alley-oop dunk by Ziaire Williams and the ensuing foul shot took the Memphis lead to 107-102 with 2:15 left.

The Memphis lead would reach 92-82 late in the third as the Grizzlies shot 76% in the period, including connecting on all four 3-points attempts.

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For the first half, Milwaukee couldn't shake Memphis, and the teams were tied at 57 at the break. Antetokounmpo took over in the second quarter, with 10 points — hitting all five of his shots — and handing out four assists.

Jackson led the Grizzlies with 19 points.