Mike Budenholzer, Giannis Antetokounmpo sit out as Bucks lose to Grizzlies in preseason opener

The Milwaukee Bucks opened their five-game exhibition schedule Saturday night at Fiserv Forum against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that finished second in the Western Conference a year ago. Unlike a year ago when a fire alarm suspended the preseason opener between the teams after three quarters at FedEx Forum, the Bucks fell to the Grizzlies, 107-102, in a complete game.

Here are some takeaways from the contest:

ICY FORECAST

Bucks court was laid over NHL playing surface in advance of preseason meeting between Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild

Fiserv Forum is hosting a National Hockey League preseason game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild on Sunday, and the Bucks’ court was laid down over it for the contest. Naturally, a safe playing surface was the top priority for the Bucks and arena staff heading into Saturday night’s basketball game.

“That’s been our biggest challenge, literally, logistically and operationally,” Bucks president Peter Feigin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Ice, by nature, has moisture. Moisture doesn’t go well with wood. Just to get that down because we are not an NHL team that flips to ice to wood and ice to wood. So, we’ve been planning for weeks on changing the court, making sure there’s no moisture, figuring out the atmosphere, temperature. I mean, it truly is a science in a building that’s almost a million square feet. How do you keep it so there’s not a lot of melting, there’s not a lot of condensation? Because that’s a serious thing. We’ve got it down. Our operations folks have been terrific so we’re pretty happy with where we are.”

There were no discernible issues with the playing surface during pregame warmups or during the game.

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BUCKS COACH MIKE BUDENHOLZER SITS THIS ONE OUT FOLLOWING OFFSEASON RIGHT ANKLE REPLACEMENT

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer met with the media before the game but he did not coach the team as he continues his rehabilitation from offseason right ankle replacement. Associate head coach Charles Lee earned those duties.

"To get to be the acting head coach, extremely thankful," Lee said after the game. "I'd like to thank coach 'Bud,' the front office, the owners. That's obviously a lot of trust and belief in somebody to be able to carry out a message and a game plan and I appreciate them allowing me that opportunity. Because it is a little bit different to get some game reps."

Lee has coached during the team’s open scrimmages, but last season former associate head coach — and now Los Angeles Lakers boss – Darvin Ham filled in for Budenholzer during last regular season when the head coach was in the league’s health and safety protocols.

"It was cool, it was a great opportunity for him," Bucks wing Jordan Nwora said of Lee. "He did a great job. I wish we could've got a win for him, but whenever he has a chance again we'll get him next time for sure."

WHO DIDN'T PLAY, AND WHO DID?

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton, Wesley Matthews, Khris Middleton and Joe Ingles were on the bench for the Bucks against Grizzlies

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pat Connaughton sat out the contest for the Bucks, and they were joined by Wesley Matthews (ankle) and the rehabilitating Khris Middleton (wrist) and Joe Ingles (knee) on the bench for the Bucks.

Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis started alongside Jordan Nwora. Veterans George Hill, Jevon Carter and Serge Ibaka also saw action.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins elected to sit most of his regular roster, with all-star Ja Morant being joined by Steven Adams, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Danny Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Tyus Jones, Killian Tillie and Xavier Tillman Sr. on the bench. 

Even with so many Bucks regulars seeing court time, the Grizzlies bench kept the game competitive through the first half. Milwaukee stretched a 48-45 halftime lead to a 65-55 advantage in the opening seven minutes of the second half. Holiday, Lopez and Hill didn’t play the second half, and the Bucks were up nine by the time Allen and Portis were done for the evening late in the third and led 76-66 after three quarters. Memphis made a fourth-quarter comeback, however, in scoring 41 points in the frame. 

"We hang our hat on defense every night, no matter who is playing — it's about us and our habits and just trying to build really good, competitive habits," Lee said. "We limited them to 28 threes, which has been a little bit of an emphasis — not a little bit — it's been an emphasis for us, on how do we reduce a team's three-pointers and make them have to shoot contested, tough twos. So I thought from that perspective, really good.

"In that fourth quarter though, giving up 41 points, and the type of points that you're giving up in terms of getting driven (on), seeing the ball just getting laid up. And also fouling, putting guys on the line."

Sandro Mamukelashvili added 15 points for the Bucks. Five Grizzlies finished in double figures with David Roddy leading the team with 18 points.

JORDAN NWORA HAS 21 POINTS 

The third-year wing knows that to crack the Bucks' regular-season rotation he will have to continue to improve on defense and the “little things” outside of offense. Because, if there is anything the 24-year-old has shown in his first two seasons is that he can fill it up when put in that position. That was the case again Saturday night, as he started and closed the game in playing 28 minutes. He made seven of his 15 shots for 21 points. He also pulled down eight rebounds. 

"I think for me, still, it's focusing on the defensive end," Nwora said. "I think I did an all right job tonight. Obviously, there's always room to be better. At this point, I'm not even worried about offense. I'm going to score when I play. But I'm just worried about the defensive end and holding my own and helping the team on that end more so than the other side of the ball."

5 NUMBERS

0

Regular-season games Luca Vildoza has played for the Bucks. He played Saturday night in the preseason and played in last year's playoffs.

8-0

Lead the Bucks took before being outscored, 18-8, the rest of the first quarter.

13-12

First half points and minutes for Jordan Nwora.

15

Minutes for Jrue Holiday (five points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal) and Brook Lopez (five points, one rebound).

50

Percentage on three-pointers for Grayson Allen, going 3-for-6 from distance. He was 6-for-14 overall for 15 points.

DID YOU NOTICE FIRST-ROUND PICK MARJON BEAUCHAMP?

First-round pick MarJon Beauchamp played a few first-quarter minutes with Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen. The rookie had a Holiday pass go through his hands as he cut out of the corner and then had a corner three on the opposite side blocked on a quick closeout by Memphis’ John Konchar. Matthews took time to talk to Beauchamp throughout the quarter, and the No. 24 pick off the G League Ignite finished his debut with four points, six rebounds and a block in 27 minutes.

His first points came on a pair of free throws in the first half and he had a highlight one-handed dunk after scooping up a loose ball in the third quarter.

"It didn't feel real, stepping on the court first time, getting the welcoming from the fans and stuff, it was a blessing — everything I dreamed of," Beauchamp said. "I had a little bit of jitters, you know? I feel like I got some great looks, but it just didn't go in. Just gotta keep trusting, because I put in the work. I just gotta keep going."

PLAY OF THE GAME

With 8:52 to go in the third quarter, Grayson Allen came up with a steal and from his back pushed the ball forward to a breaking Sandro Mamukelashvili, who quickly scooped it to a streaking Jordan Nwora. Nwora then dunked it emphatically with two hands as Memphis’ Santi Aldama pursued. The Bucks’ bench jumped to their feet and Nwora slapped the backboard on his way down.

VIDEO OF THE GAME

Jrue Holiday’s step back is regular-season ready.