Bucks Zone

The shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks lose to the Memphis Grizzlies in their final home game of the regular season

Lindell Wigginton provided the spark for the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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With their top guns taking much-needed rest, the reserves battled but couldn't hang on as the Milwaukee Bucks bowed to the Memphis Grizzlies, 137-114, on Friday night.

With the overall number one seed in the bag, the Bucks rested their starters in their final home game of the regular season.

Milwaukee will have its final regular season game on Sunday night in Toronto.

Much-needed rest

Grayson Allen (right ankle sprain), Giannis Antetokounmpo (right knee soreness), Pat Connaughton (right ankle sprain), Khris Middleton (right knee soreness), Jrue Holiday (rest), and Brook Lopez (rest) were all out.

Bobby Portis Jr. and Joe Ingles were available, but they didn't get any playing time.

Behind Lindell Wigginton and Jae Crowder, the Bucks kept the game close early and even led at the half, 72-71.

Memphis, which was at full strength, asserted its might in the third, where it staged a 37-15 run to take complete control of the match.

Wigginton show

Wigginton finished with 25 points and 11 assists, while Crowder added a season-high 24 points for the Bucks, who dropped to 58-23 and will still end with the best record in the record regular regardless of the outcome of their final assignment against the Raptors.

Wigginton, who added five rebounds, had only scored a total of eight points since he was signed by the Bucks to a two-way contract last March.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 36 points, and Luke Kennard added 19 for Memphis, which secured the No. 2 seed in the West with its 51st win against 30 losses.

All Memphis starters scored in double figures, with Desmond Bane finishing with 16 points, Ja Morant 12, and Dillon Brooks 11.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.