INSIDE the NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal has sent a warning to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks fell 113-110 to the injury-ravaged Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in yet another poor performance of head coach Doc Rivers' reign.

TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal has warned the Milwaukee Bucks they look like a team that could get swept in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs

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TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal has warned the Milwaukee Bucks they look like a team that could get swept in the first round of the 2024 NBA PlayoffsCredit: Twitter/NBAonTNT
Shaq's remark came after Giannis Antetokounmpo' and his Bucks lost 113-110 to the Memphis Grizzlies, who entered the game with half of the roster injured

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Shaq's remark came after Giannis Antetokounmpo' and his Bucks lost 113-110 to the Memphis Grizzlies, who entered the game with half of the roster injuredCredit: Getty

Milwaukee went 3-6 with Rivers in charge before the Grizzlies clash.

Memphis played without Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Blandon Clarke, Jake LaRavia, Derrick Rose, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar on Thursday.

Yet they beat the overwhelming favorites as Ziaire Williams and rookie forward GG Jackson led the way, scoring 27 points each.

Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 35 points and 12 rebounds against the Grizzlies while Damian Lillard added 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.

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After the game, O'Neal, 51, said that in the current form, the Bucks are headed for a first-round playoff exit.

"Milwaukee needs to understand that because of Giannis and Dame, the opponents are going to be playing way above their heads," the TNT analyst said on Inside the NBA.

"But forget all that. You're supposed to blow this team out by 30.

"The fact that you're 3-6 ... when you're not playing well, you want to [enter] the All-Star break on a positive note.

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"They were supposed to come out and smash this team, but – Chuck said it – they had trouble with the defense, no timely stops, no effort.

"It's a championship team on paper, but the way they playing right now, they're going to get swept in the first round."

Rivers will coach Team East in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game as his Bucks had the second-best record in the conference two weeks before the event.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla – whose C's were atop the standings – was ineligible to coach at the showcase clash because he got the honor last year.

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But Milwaukee enters the All-Star break in the third and, after the loss to the Grizzlies, slipped to 35-21 on the season – falling further behind the second-placed Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17).

This year's All-Star Weekend takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana.