National Basketball Association

Takeaways From the Bucks Win Over the Memphis Grizzlies

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 106-96 on Saturday night. We’ll take a look at the key takeaways from the victory.

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Grizzlies 106-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It was superhero night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Saturday night, and the Milwaukee Bucks showed up ready to defend truth, justice and the three point shot. Or perhaps it was simply the absence of the Bucks kryptonite, the winless team.

Regardless of which was the case, the Bucks looked good right from the tip, jumping out to an 11-2 lead and leading most of the night, en route to a 106-96 win. The Memphis Grizzlies did their best to slow down the high-flying Bucks, but they failed to stop justice.

Some of the best Bucks did not look all that super, but a win is a win! Besides, the kids got free capes, which is always a win.

The Bucks had one new starter, and received notable contributions off the bench as well. So lets take a look at the key takeaways from the game for the Bucks.

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) grabs a rebound against Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson (31) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

New Hero Starting At Center

The questions surrounding the Bucks center position found a new answer on Saturday night, with John Henson getting his first start of the season. This comes on the heels of several disappointing outings from Miles Plumlee which coincided with fairly poor starts from the team as a whole.

If early returns, i.e. the 11-2 start to the game, are any indication, I think we can expect to see Henson in the starting lineup for a while.

Henson only played 17 minutes in the game, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds, but he helped to set the tone of the game for the Bucks.

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) reach for a loose ball in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Stopping Those Evil Turnovers

When the Milwaukee Bucks take care of the basketball, they can be really difficult to defend, as evidenced by their 52.9% shooting and 106 points on Saturday night. That’s the reason that Jason Kidd made limiting turnovers a primary focus for the team entering the season.

And the Bucks did an excellent job of protecting the ball on Saturday, finishing with only 12 turnovers for the game.

The only player who really struggled with turnovers was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who gave the ball away five times. However, this fact highlights just how well the rest of the team did in taking care of the ball on Saturday.

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) takes a shot against Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Defend The Three-Point Line Of Solitude

Though it has frequently been a weakness in their game, the Bucks did a fantastic job of defending the three point line against the Grizzlies on Saturday. Memphis shot just 6/30, or 20%, from beyond the arc in the contest.

Of course, as always, part of defending the three comes down to the opponent not making shots, but the Bucks were very active on defense and closed out shooters quickly, making the shots a bit tougher.

Hopefully we are seeing the beginning of a trend, one that the Bucks length and athleticism would seem to make a legitimate possibility; Milwaukee Bucks, three point defenders!

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Michael Beasley (9) takes a shot against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Sidekicks Checking In

The Bucks bench continued to make major contributions on Saturday night. Specifically, Michael Beasley and Malcom Brogdon really played big parts in the victory.

More from Behind the Buck Pass

Beasley scored 19 points in 19 minutes, while shooting 6/8 from the field and getting to the line seven times, making six. This sort of output has to be exactly what John Hammond was hoping for when he traded for Beasley, and his presence allows the Bucks to stagger Giannis and Jabari’s minutes, something that was very difficult for them to do last season.

Malcom Brogdon’s contributions, on the other hand, continue to far exceed any reasonable expectations the Bucks might have had. In 22 minutes, Brogdon put up 12 points, including hitting 2/3 from beyond the arc. He played strong defense on the ball and played under control.

Nov 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) takes a shot against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Superhero Mindset

Perhaps this should have been the first takeaway, but the Bucks victories continue to be all about their frame of mind. When they are aggressive attacking the rim and aggressive defensively, good things happen for them.

Good things like getting to the free throw line 36 times. Like holding the other team to 20 percent from beyond the arc. And creating open shots, and hitting a high percentage of them. Good things like strong starts and strong finishes lead to wins.

Really, the main thing to takeaway from this game is that, for the Bucks, it is about attitude. A superhero mindset might be just what they need to bring each night.

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