Box Score
Maybe it's not such a bad thing that so many preseason games aren't televised.
The long-awaited return of Andrew Bogut was again scrubbed at the last moment due to a pregame migraine headache, something we've unfortunately seen before. Still, it's better this happen now than when the games count, and as bad as Bogut's migraines can be, they're by definition short-term in nature. It's not yet clear if Bogut will be able to play Sunday night in South Dakota against the Timberwolves, but on the bright side it's another day of rest for his right arm.
As for the actual game, the box score suggests a performance as ugly as the final scoreline suggests.
It was a game of diminishing returns for the Bucks, as they not only lost every quarter, but scored progressively fewer points and were outscored by more points in each successive period. Not a single Buck managed to shoot better than 50%, with only Larry Sanders even managing that figure with a prolific 1/2 night. And did I mention that Sanders fouled out in less than 15 minutes?
Overall the Bucks shot a paltry 33% and managed just 14 assists while turning the ball over 20 times, though it's not to say the Grizz lit it up either. Memphis made 44% of their shots but just 1/12 from three and were nearly as bad in the ast/to department (15/17). Aside from Bogut, the Bucks were once again without Corey Maggette (ankle, close to returning), John Salmons (knee, unknown), Jon Brockman (ankle), and Luc Mbah a Moute (ankle), which provides some explanation for how Brian Skinner and Chris Kramer saw 48 minutes of combined burn.
Four Bucks cracked double figures, none of them scoring more than 13 points and all of them taking at least 10 shots. My expert analysis: that's not good. Meanwhile, Rudy Gay "led" Memphis with 17 points on a mediocre 16 shots, in no way disproving my thesis that he's a superficial star who will never come anywhere close to justifying his new $80+ million deal. Sorry Rudy, but my team gave Michael Redd $90 million so I know how these kinds of stories play out.
For better or worse, the Bucks won't have to wait long to bounce back, having jumped on a plane to South Dakota right after the game in Memphis. They'll take on the Timberwolves in Sioux Falls Sunday night, though whether Bogut takes part is anyone's guess at this point. It does seem like we'll get the hotly anticipated matchup between Brandon Jennings and Luke Ridnour, but alas, the game once again won't be televised.
It's maybe for the best.