The Milwaukee Bucks (30 - 39) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (39 - 30) 96 - 86 on Thursday. It's bizarre to see a team well under .500 favored by double - digits over a team well above .500, but circumstances made that the case in this matchup. Memphis is without their top - three scorers and two point guards and have now lost their fourth - straight game. The Bucks took care of business in the fourth quarter though, as they held the Grizzlies to 13 points, while scoring 28 on their end. The key in this game was the Milwaukee defense, as they held the Grizzles to 37 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. Another huge key was the low - post defense, as the Bucks combined for 17 blocks in their win. Memphis had to play this game without Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mario Chalmers and Mike Conley and those injuries are just too difficult to overcome. Lance Stephenson does continue to play well though, as he tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the loss. Matt Barnes led the team with 20 points, while also snatching down seven rebounds before an altercation in the final seconds that may get him suspended. The Grizzlies will look to get out of this slump on Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers. This now gives Milwaukee four wins in their last five and they appear to be making one final push at the postseason. Giannis Antetokonmpo continued his emergence here, as he accumulated 15 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in the win. Greg Monroe recorded a double - double, as he scored 14 points while bringing down 10 boards. The Bucks will look to keep the momentum up on Sunday against the Utah Jazz in their next matchup.
["PlayerStat(G,'Matt Barnes') has 20 Assists ,has 7 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Lance Stephenson') has 6 Assists ,has 19 Points ,has 7 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Giannis Antetokounmpo') has 11 Assists ,has 15 Points ,has 6 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Greg Monroe') has 14 Assists ,has 10 Points ."]