Rockets Outlast Bucks, 100-97, for Narrow Victory
Home-Cooking. Duo-Ing It Again. Another Thriller.
Houston returned home victorious, as they outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks, 100-97, on Tuesday night. With the win, the Rockets improved to 19-9 at home, compared to 17-13 on the road. As with most games this season for Houston, the squad found themselves in another tight contest late, but managed to fend-off the Bucks for the win. After building a five point lead after the first quarter, the Rockets allowed Milwaukee to score 34 points in the second quarter, which saw Houston facing a two-point deficit at halftime. However, the Rockets bucked down defensively in the second half, as they allowed the Bucks to score only 38 points, including a stifling fourth quarter where Houston held Milwaukee to a mere 12 points. The Rockets struggled in the final quarter as well, scoring only 15 points, but it was enough for the victory.
As has been the case since the All-Star break, Houston was led by their star duo of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. Sengun register another double-double, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 boards. Green added 25 points and 8 rebounds, as he continues to play at a consistent level since returning from the break. Amen Thompson was brilliant defensively, and had 9 points and rebounds apiece. However, Twin was ejected late with roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter for a flagrant foul penalty two on Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. The play didn’t seem to necessitate any suspension, so Thompson should be available for Houston’s next game on Wednesday night.
The Rockets held the NBA’s top scoring duo, in Giannis and Damian Lillard, below their scoring average. The superstar duo still scored 49 points, but their average is in the mid 50’s, so Houston did a solid job. The Rockets still had some very poor turnovers early and late in the contest that almost cost them the game. Houston’s free throw shooting was better from the previous game, as the Rockets went 14-for-18 from the foul line. Unless these teams meet in the NBA Finals, this is the last time Houston will face Milwaukee this season, and the Rockets managed to tie which was a very exciting season series (the Bucks won the first matchup by only one point in another thriller) with the win on Tuesday night.
Up next for Houston, the Rockets will turn around and play another game at Toyota Center tomorrow (Wednesday) night. This time, the I-10 rival San Antonio Spurs come to town for the series finale. Hopefully, the Rockets can finally manage to win the second part of a back-to-back against what will be a Wemby-less Spurs team on Wednesday night.