LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) – With their season in the balance, Jonas Valanciunas and Ja Morant have teamed up to make history and keep the Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff hopes alive.
Valanciunas and Moranth had triple-doubles, Dillon Brooks scored 31 points and the Grizzlies beat the Milwaukee Bucks 119-106 on Thursday to clinch a place in the play-in tournament that will determine the eighth and final seed in the Western playoffs. Conference.
NBA returned from a 4 1/2-month layoff." data-reactid="14">This marked the first time in franchise history that two Grizzlies have had triple-doubles in one game. The team effort has helped the Grizzlies bounce back after losing six of their first seven games since the NBA returned from a 4.5-month layoff.
“I’m glad I answered,” said Valanciunas, who scored 26 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists. ” We showed character. Let’s not go home. We will fight until the last second. ”
Dillon Brooks added 31 points as Memphis was never at a disadvantage while capitalizing on Milwaukee missing Giannis Antetokounmpo. The reigning MVP was serving a one-game suspension after headbutting Moritz Wagner in a 126-113 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies (34-39) are tied for eighth place in the Western Conference with Portland and Phoenix, who beat Dallas 128-102 on Thursday.
Portland will either improve to 35-39 or drop to 34-40 after playing in Brooklyn on Thursday night. Memphis has the head-to-head play-off advantage over Phoenix.
“It was a good win today,” Morant said. “I’m ready to see who we play next game with.”
The play-in round starts on Saturday and combines team No. 8 against team no. 9. Team 9 must beat Team 8 twice in a row to advance and take on the seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
Memphis hasn’t been in the playoffs in the past two years after making seven consecutive post-season appearances from 2011-17.
“It’s good to see in a meaningful game that our boys are left,” said Grizzlies manager Taylor Jenkins. ” We will need it on Saturday, more and more and better and better. ”
NBA game. The 28-year-old Valanciunas' previous career high in assists was five." data-reactid="27">Valanciunas earned the ball of the game after landing his first double doubles in his 559th NBA game of career. The previous career of 28-year-old Valanciunas with a high number of assists was five.
“I’m definitely going to hold that ball for a long time to show my kids that it was dad,” Valanciunas said.
Morant had 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
This marked the first time two teammates have posted triple-doubles in the same game since Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler did so on December 10 in a 135-121 overtime win over Atlanta.
Brook Lopez scored 19 to lead five dollars in double figures. Frank Mason was 18, Donte DiVincenzo was 17, Khris Middleton was 14 and DJ Wilson was 12.
This game was of no significance to the Bucks, who had already captured the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive season. But it meant it all to the Grizzlies and Jenkins, who was a staff assistant to Bucks manager Mike Budenholzer last season and had previously worked for him in Atlanta.
It was immediately apparent which of these two teams had the most incentive. Memphis has been driving for as many as 23.
“You would have to be deep in the sand to not understand everything that is at stake today,” Budenholzer said. ” Taylor and his team have done a great job this year. They earned it. They played well today. They were sharp. The guys have really come forward. ”
TIP-INS
Bucks: Starting guard Wesley Matthews missed a second straight game with a sore right adductor. Budenholzer remains confident that Matthews will be ready for the playoffs. “We feel like everything is fine,” Budenholzer said before the match. “It’s probably just the smartest way not to push it today, give it another day or two. We don’t expect it to stay or be a past problem today.”
NBA history to average at least 17 points and seven assists are Oscar Robertson (1960-61), Magic Johnson (1979-80), Isiah Thomas (1981-82), Damon Stoudamire (1995-96), Allen Iverson (1996-97) and Trae Young (2018-19). ... Valanciunas has collected at least 10 rebounds in seven straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA. ... Memphis was the designated home team. Former Grizzlies Tony Allen and Zach Randolph were included among the team's ''virtual fans'' in the arena." data-reactid="37">Grizzlies: Morant finished the regular season averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 assists. The only rookies in NBA history to average at least 17 points and seven assists are Oscar Robertson (1960-61), Magic Johnson (1979-80), Isiah Thomas (1981-82), Damon Stoudamire (1995-96) , Allen Iverson (1996-97) and Trae Young (2018-19). … Valanciunas has collected at least 10 rebounds in seven consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. … Memphis was the designated home team. Former Grizzlies Tony Allen and Zach Randolph have been included among the team’s “virtual fans” in the arena.
MIDDLETON JUST SHY OF 50-40-90
NBA player to finish a season shooting at least 50% from the floor, 40% from 3-point range and 90% from the foul line. He ended up shooting 49.7% on field-goal attempts, 41.5% on 3-pointers and 91.6% on free throws." data-reactid="43">Middleton shot 5 for 13 and was just shy of becoming the ninth NBA player to finish a season by shooting at least 50% from the floor, 40% from 3 points and 90% from the foul line. He ended up shooting 49.7% on basket attempts, 41.5% on 3-pointers and 91.6% on free throws.
NEXT
The Bucks will face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks have swept four regular season fights with Orlando.
The Grizzlies advance to the West Play-in Tournament.
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NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports" data-reactid="48">More NBA APs: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
