Undermanned Grizzlies turn back Bucks' rally

Ziaire Williams and rookie GG Jackson scored 27 points apiece as the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies withstood a late rally by the visiting Milwaukee Bucks in a 113-110 win on Thursday.

Memphis held on for the victory after Damian Lillard missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. The Grizzlies won their second game in a row following a nine-game skid.

Williams set a career high with his point total, while Jackson matched his career high.

Vince Williams Jr. scored 18 points for Memphis, while Lamar Stevens added 13, Jordan Goodwin had 11 and Trey Jemison chipped in 10.

Memphis had 10 players out due to injuries, including Jaren Jackson Jr. (right quadriceps soreness), Derrick Rose (right ankle soreness), Scotty Pippen Jr. (lower back soreness), Luke Kennard (left knee soreness), Desmond Bane (sprained left ankle) and Ja Morant (right shoulder surgery).

Milwaukee trailed by nine at the end of the third quarter before charging back to take a 102-101 lead with 3:29 remaining. Memphis answered with a 12-2 run and moved ahead 113-104 with 49.8 seconds left when Williams made two foul shots.

After Malik Beasley hit consecutive 3-pointers to pull Milwaukee within 113-110 with 29.6 seconds to play, Memphis escaped with the victory despite competing with nine available players on the second night of a back-to-back.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 35 points and 12 assists. Lillard scored 24 points, Bobby Portis Jr. added 15, and Brook Lopez had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Milwaukee shot 11 of 44 (25 percent) from 3-point range and fell to 3-7 under new coach Doc Rivers.

GG Jackson hit a 3-pointer to close the first quarter and give Memphis a 29-26 lead. Milwaukee was 5 of 16 (31.2 percent) from 3-point range in the period.

GG Jackson made four first-half 3-pointers and had 19 points at the break, when the teams were tied 57-57. Antetokounmpo and Lillard had 13 points apiece to lead the Bucks.

Memphis moved ahead 80-71 after making 10 of its first 11 field-goal attempts to open the third quarter.

Williams had 17 points in the third quarter for the Grizzlies, who led 94-85 after shooting 76.2 percent from the field for the period.