10 takeaways from tonight in the NBA:
1) For the next 4 years, the Grizzlies have GG Jackson (19 years old) and Vince Williams Jr. (23 years old) under contract for a combined $17,655,507.
“I try to be as coachable as possible. My high school coach called me a sponge back in the day. Well, not back in the day. That was like two years ago.” - GG Jackson
2) 'TNT Jackson' (31.3% usage, 27 points, 6-10 3PT, +12) is officially a thing. Had 23 the last time Memphis was on TNT. Said he stays humble by looking at his jersey before putting it on every night; to remind him of what pick he was drafted (45). Outscored the Bucks bench by himself (27-24).
"If we just put GG on TNT, he'd be the highest-paid player in the league." - Charles Barkley
3) Point Vince again. At least 7 assists in his last 5 games. Also had 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Just really involved in a lot of what they're doing over there. To simplify it for you: He's averaging more possession time and touches than Coby White over his last 5 games. Can you blame them? They're playing well considering all the injuries.
Shoutout to Ziaire Williams. Career-high 27 points (21.2% usage).
"We come out, play hard, we fight to the end of the game." - Vince Williams Jr.
"We got motion" - Grizzlies
4) Bucks shot 11 of 44 from three (25%) and Grizzlies shot 13 of 26 (50%). Danilo Gallinari couldn't have come at a better time.
Rivers was trying things man. Went to the 2-3 zone in the fourth (it worked). We even got 3 minutes of Andre Jackson with the regulars! Said he was looking for anyone that could stay in front. Yeah, it was bad.
Bucks are 3-7 (19th in net rating) under Doc. There's your Eastern Conference coach.
"We had some guys here. We had some guys in Cabo." - Doc Rivers on the Bucks effort
5) They finally benched Klay. First time since March, 2012. Don't think anybody could have imagined it would work this well. We got vintage Klay. Scores a season-high 35 points (7-13 3PT, 31.4% usage). Becomes the sixth player in Warriors history to score at least 15,000 career points.
The Curry/Podz/Wiggins/Kuminga/Dray lineup has a 26.0 net rating. They're 3-0 as starters. This was long overdue.
"You can do two things, you can pout, or you can go out there and respond." - Klay Thompson
6) Brandin Podziemski (13 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 17.1% usage) is having a February to remember.
32.9 MPG
12.8 PPG
7.3 RPG
6.7 APG
40% 3PT
REPLACES KLAY THOMPSON IN STARTING LINEUP
7) Steph finally cooled off. Scored 138 total points in his previous 4 games, making at least 7 three-pointers in all 4 games (NBA record). Today, scored just 16 points on 45.7 TS%. Did have 10 assists though.
8) Really looking forward to post-break Keyonte: 33 points, 6 assists, 9-16 3PT (tied for most 3s in a game by a rookie), 3 steals, 40:33 min. Made a lot of rookie mistakes in clutch time but the keys are all his now.
"Tonight was sort of his coming out party in terms of being an off-the-dribble 3-point shooter. I think we saw tonight what I've been seeing and we've been seeing behind closed doors." - Will Hardy on Keyonte George
9) They finally started Scoot. Didn't work out as well as Klay (15 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, -17). Billups did say that he's expected to start rest of season.
“The biggest thing is he deserves it. He’s just played really well.” - Chauncey Billups
10) Minnesota was up 30 after 1. Blazers made a tiny run to get it down to 8 but then the Wolves got serious and it blew open again.
The Timberwolves win their 4th straight (all blowouts) and 9 of 12. First time in franchise history they go into the break with the #1 seed.
"It feels like we’ve got that swagger back that we had before Christmas, or up to that point in time. Again, it’s all defensive led, but now we have an offensive purpose, and everyone is really contributing there." - Chris Finch