In the last game before the All-Star weekend, the Bucks challenged the Grizzlies, who were third from the bottom in the West and could only face the Grizzlies, but the Bucks lost 110-113 to the Grizzlies and suffered two straight losses.
It is worth mentioning that since Rivers took office, he has coached the Bucks for 10 games, but his record is only 3-7, which is far from meeting expectations. The Bucks currently have a 35-21 record and are only third in the East. Despite this, Rivers has locked up the Eastern Conference All-Star head coach before, but with such a record to coach the All-Star, Rivers may also be embarrassed.
Although the Bucks' previous head coach Griffin was out of class, under his coaching, the Bucks ranked first in the league in net efficiency in key moments, with a record of 18 wins and 6 losses in key moments. After Rivers took over, the Bucks played 4 games to key moments, and as a result, the Bucks lost all 4 games, and ranked third from the bottom in the league in net efficiency.
The Bucks are facing the Grizzlies today, whose starting lineup is unavailable due to injury, and the total salary of the nine players who played is less than $16 million, and the Bucks still can't win.
Brother Alphabet played efficiently today, playing 37 minutes in the game, shooting 15 of 17, 5 of 9 free throws, scoring 35 points, 4 rebounds and 12 assists, with a plus/minus of -14. Lillard played 35 minutes, shooting 7-of-21 from the field, 3-of-13 from three-point range, and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, finishing with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
It is worth mentioning that Lillard was completely out of shape in the final quarter, shooting only 1-of-8 from the field, 0-of-4 from three-point range, and missing a three-pointer at the end, as well as two fatal turnovers. Heading into 2024, Lillard is shooting 50-of-172 three-pointers from the field and shooting just 29 percent from the field, while he is 13-of-43 from three-point range and shooting 30 percent.
On the Grizzlies' side, GG-Jackson, who had just signed a contract, played 30 minutes off the bench, shooting 10 of 17, including 6 of 10 three-pointers and 1 of 3 free throws, scoring 27 points, with a game-high plus/minus of +12. Zaire played 36 minutes, shooting 9-of-13, 4-of-7 from three-point range and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line to finish with 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Vince played 34 minutes, shooting 7-of-11, 0-of-2 from three-point range and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line to finish with 18 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.