Rockets Host Bucks in Clash of MVP Candidates
Fear the Beard vs. Fear the Deer. Freak Show. 13 For 30.
The Rockets take on another top team in the Milwaukee Bucks, as Houston’s toughest stretch of the schedule comes to a close. Wednesday night will feature a matchup between the NBA’s top two MVP candidates at the moment, in James Harden and Milwaukee’s Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ slogan is “Fear the Deer”, and this is the best team they’ve had in decades, with the Freak being a top 5-player in the league (at minimum). Harden and the Rockets will look to show that the Beard is more fearful when they take on a deep and versatile Bucks team that is similar in manpower to Denver, but will prove to be a much more difficult contest matchup-wise for Houston.
The Freak is a beast all on his own. Giannis is the league’s most athletic player, and the league’s top finisher in transition. The only weakness in his game is his three-point shot, which isn’t bad, but could be better. Once he improves from deep, he will be unstoppable. What’s scary is the Freak just turned 24, a little over a month ago. He’s having an MVP-season and he still has 5-6 years left to play before he reaches the peak of his prime, which in the NBA is around age 29-31 (Harden is currently 29). The Freak poses a matchup problem of all sorts. He’s too big and strong for anyone quick enough to guard him, while the Freak himself is too quick and strong for any bigger player to guard. The ultimate matchup nightmare. The Rockets will have plenty of bodies to throw at Giannis. Look to see P.J. Tucker on him for much of the night, as well as House, Ennis, Green, and others, as Houston tries to stop the biggest individual threat to arrive at Toyota Center this season.
James Harden looks to extend his streak of 30 or more points in a game to 14 with 30 more tonight in the books. The Beard has 13 straight games scoring more than 30 points, and he continues to prove night-in and night-out, why he’s the MVP of the NBA. He’ll be able to make a big statement with a dominant performance in a Rockets win over the Freak and the Bucks on Wednesday night at Toyota Center. The Beard will need plenty of help like last game. The Bucks are loaded with sleepers, guys no one’s really heard of, but play hard every night. Malcolm Brogdon has emerged as their second-best player this season, as he runs the show for Milwaukee at the point. Look for Brook Lopez to give Capela the fits, as the Bucks’ big man is a no-nonsense, dirty-work type of player, and could pose problems for Clint. Hopefully, P.J. continues his shooting groove on his Bobblehead night, and the Rockets can pull out the victory over one of the beasts in the East.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Milwaukee Bucks (28-11) – Black
Houston Rockets (23-16) – Red
TV: 7:00 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW