Bear Necessities
· The Memphis Grizzlies have won a season-high six consecutive home games entering tonight’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks... Tonight marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Grizzlies, who defeated the Brooklyn Nets 132-120 on March 23 and the Indiana Pacers 133-103 on March 24. THE GAME CAN BE HEARD LIVE on 92.9 FM ESPN, 680 AM, the Audacy App, or in the Mid-South on Smart Speakers by saying "Play 929 ESPN".
· The Grizzlies have scored 130+ points in four of their last eight games, including the last two… Memphis, which had never scored 130+ points in consecutive games before this season, also had a streak of three straight 130-point performances from Feb. 5-10… The 133-point effort Thursday against Indiana marked the team’s 10th 130-point game of the season, surpassing the previous single-season franchise record of nine, set last season.
· Memphis, which holds the NBA’s second-best record, became the third team in the league to clinch a playoff spot with Thursday’s win over Indiana… This will be the franchise’s 12th postseason appearance… Milwaukee is tied (with Philadelphia) for the NBA’s fifth-best record.
· Steven Adams needs three more offensive rebounds to set the single-season franchise record, currently held by Zach Randolph (330 in 2009-10)… Adams’ offensive rebound percentage (18.2) this season currently is the 13th highest in NBA history (min. 200 offensive rebounds).
· Jaren Jackson Jr. needs five more blocks to set the single-season franchise record, currently held by Pau Gasol (169 in 2001-02)… One of the DPOY frontrunners, Jackson Jr. leads the NBA in total blocks and blocks per game (2.26).
Individual Milestones
Jaren Jackson Jr. needs five blocks to pass Pau Gasol (169 in 2001-02) for the single-season franchise record.Steven Adams needs three offensive rebounds to pass Zach Randolph (330 in 2009-10) for the single-season franchise record.Ja Morant is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for scoring average (27.6)… The current mark is held by Shareef Abdur-Rahim (23.0 in 1998-99).Desmond Bane is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for free throw percentage (.900)… The current mark is held by O.J. Mayo (.879 in 2008-09).
Series Records and Current Streaks vs. Opponent (Regular Season)
Overall: 24-26 (Lost 1)Home: 13-12 (Lost 1)Last Win: 4/17/21Last Home Win: 8/13/20
Connections
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins spent six seasons under Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer as an assistant coach for the Bucks (2018-19) and Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) before coming to Memphis.Bucks guard Grayson Allen appeared in 88 games for the Grizzlies from 2019-21 and averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.5 minutes… Allen and Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones won a national championship as teammates at Duke… Grizzlies assistant coach David McClure also played at Duke.Bucks guard Jevon Carter was drafted by Memphis with the 32nd pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and played 39 games for the Grizzlies during his rookie season.Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson and Bucks guard Jrue Holiday both played at UCLA.Bucks forward Khris Middleton teamed with Grizzlies Vice President of Basketball Affairs Tayshaun Prince as a rookie on the 2012-13 Detroit Pistons before Prince was traded to Memphis later that season.Bucks assistant coach Chad Forcier was an assistant coach for the Grizzlies during the 2018-19 season.Grizzlies TV play-by-play Pete Pranica is a Wisconsin native.Grizzlies TV analyst Brevin Knight appeared in 21 games for the Bucks during the 2003-04 season... Knight, Grizzlies wing Ziaire Williams and Bucks center Brook Lopez played collegiately at Stanford.
