National Basketball Association
Milwaukee 96, Memphis 86
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 17, 2016
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #39 Tyler Ford, #29 Mark Lindsay
Attendance: 11740

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo is on a tear lately, recording four triple-doubles since the All-Star break.

He was on his way to a fifth Thursday night, but the Milwaukee Bucks' bench prevented that from happening.

Antetokounmpo compiled 15 points, 11 assists and six rebounds but was relegated to cheerleader status for the final quarter as the Bucks' reserves went on a tear and led Milwaukee to a 96-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Bradley Center.

"They were like grasshoppers out there," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said of his reserves. "They had a lot of energy and spunk. I guess the coach has been holding them back a little bit. They earned the minutes to finish that game."

Milwaukee trailed by six at halftime and by five after three. Kidd sat Antetokounmpo, along with Greg Monroe, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker and Jerryd Bayless, to open the fourth and instead turned to Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee, Rashad Vaughn, Damien Inglis and John Henson.

That group stopped the Grizzlies on their first four possessions, including a pair of turnovers, and ripped off a 17-2 run that made it an 85-75 game when Vaughn hit a 16-foot jumper with 5:12 left.

Memphis (39-30) caught its bearings at that point, snapping a 3:40 scoring drought with a layup from Tony Allen. Ennis completed a three-point play to push Milwaukee up by 11, and Jarell Martin split a pair of free throws to get the lead back down to 10 before things got a little crazy.

After Henson was called for offensive goaltending, Inglis blocked a shot in the lane from JaMychal Green. Memphis forward Matt Barnes grabbed the rebound and was fouled hard by Henson, sparking a few moments of pushing, shoving and shouting.

Henson was called for a technical and flagrant-1 on the play. Barnes continued jawing with Henson while he was splitting a pair of free throws to get the deficit to seven, forcing Kidd to make a quick decision.

"I was thinking about bringing back the starters but at that point," Kidd said. "I decided to stick with the guys for the long haul and let them finish the game out because they deserved it."

The move worked as Milwaukee (30-39) held on for the victory, but tempers flared again in the closing seconds. Henson and Barnes got into it after Henson blocked a Barnes shot with 5.9 ticks left.

Both players were ejected at that point. Henson threw his jersey into the crowd and pumped his fists as he walked through the tunnel. Barnes, meanwhile, remained on the court for a moment, and when he learned he, too, had been tossed, he took off running after Henson, with security following closely behind.

"We got a little heated, going back and forth. It happens," said Henson, who was sporting a bruise on his right cheek. "But we got the win, that's all that matters. I'm just glad I didn't hurt my team when I got caught up with my emotions."

Barnes finished with a team-high 20 points, but after scoring 18 on 7-of-9 shooting in the first quarter, he missed his last nine shots, including four in the fourth.

The Grizzlies made just four baskets in the final quarter while Milwaukee blocked eight Memphis attempts.

"They stepped up and made shots," Green said. "They knocked down a couple of jumpers, got a couple of offensive rebounds that gave them fresh starts, and that just hurt us."

Lance Stephenson made his first start since joining the Grizzlies, a last-minute switch with point guard Briante Weber, and he finished with 19 points. Allen added 13 and Green 11 for Memphis, which dropped its fourth in a row.

"We just have to keep learning and trying to scheme some things," Memphis coach Dave Joerger said.

Milwaukee won for the third time in four games. Monroe had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Ennis scored 13. Bayless, Middleton and Inglis added 10 apiece.

NOTES: Memphis G/F Vince Carter was unavailable Thursday. The 39-year-old, 18-season veteran missed a fourth game in a row because of a nagging calf strain. ... G Jared Cunningham was in uniform and available for Milwaukee. He signed a 10-day contract Wednesday as the Bucks looked for depth in the wake of season-ending injuries to PG Michael Carter-Williams, SG Steve Novak and SG O.J. Mayo. ... Milwaukee was also still without G Greivis Vasquez, who underwent surgery on his right ankle in December but returned to practice Wednesday. He hopes to play before the end of the regular season.
Top Game Performances
 
Memphis   Milwaukee
Matt Barnes 20 Scoring Giannis Antetokounmpo 15
Lance Stephenson 6 Assists Giannis Antetokounmpo 11
Ryan Hollins 10 Rebounds Greg Monroe 10
Tony Allen 3 Free Throws Made Damien Inglis 4
Tony Allen 2 Steals John Henson 2
Matt Barnes 1 Blocks John Henson 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Memphis 86 37.0 3-13 15-17 16 47 3 8 16
Milwaukee 96 49.3 5-19 17-25 21 44 17 7 13
Upcoming Games
  • Milwaukee will play their next game at home against Utah. The Bucks have a W/L % of .414 after a win and .450 after a loss.
  • Memphis will play their next game at home against L.A. Clippers. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .513 after a win and .633 after a loss.