Rockets vs. Bucks Pre-Game 12/17/23

Tough Task on Hand as Rockets Travel to Battle Bucks

The Mean Streets.    Hot Freak.    Strong Start.

The Rockets roll into the mean streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin riding a five-game winning streak. Tonight, that streak will be put up to the ultimate test. Houston faces a red-hot Milwaukee Bucks team. After a slow start, the Bucks are 13-3 over their last 16 games, improving their record to 18-7, and holding the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off arguably the best game of his career. The Greek Freak dropped a career-high 64 points on the Indiana Pacers in their serious win. In an odd display of events, Indy somehow stole the game ball from Giannis, who was furious after the match. He even chased into the Indiana side of the tunnel after the game demanding the game-ball. The Pacers apparently gave it to a rookie who scored their first career point, but they were just salty they lost. The Rockets are seeking their third road win of the season tonight, after coming off an emotional victory Wednesday night in Dillon Brooks’ return to Memphis. Hopefully, Houston isn’t emotionally drained from their huge comeback win in the previous game, as they’ve gotten off to poor starts recently and can’t afford to start slow tonight.

All of this is bad news for the Rockets, who now face one of the hottest teams in the NBA. After a few games against inferior competition, tonight’s contest is another toughie for Houston. The Bucks are legitimate championship contenders. They were ousted (by the Pacers) in the knockout round of the NBA’s Inaugural In-Season Tournament. A tourney which saw LeBron and the Lakers hoist the trophy. There’s no doubt Giannis and Milwaukee still have the main prize on their eyes: the NBA Championship. Giannis already has one ring, and the Bucks are a dangerous threat as ever to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again in June.

If Houston wants any chance to pull a major upset tonight, and keep their winning streak alive, they need to get off to a stronger start. The Rockets trailed the Grizzlies by as many as 17 points early in their previous game, yet managed to claw their way back to victory. That trait won’t works against the Bucks. If Houston falls behind early in Milwaukee, the road to a comeback for the Rockets won’t be as smooth as it was in Memphis. In fact, a comeback win is the most unlikely scenario for tonight’s outcome. The Greek Freak is one of the few superstar’s who plays hard every single night, and his team follows suit.

Besides Giannis, Houston has a handful with the Buck’s newest member, superstar Damian Lillard, on their hands. Lillard demanded a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in the offseason, and got his wish as he was dealt to Milwaukee. The Rockets have a defensive two-headed monster in these two superstars on the court tonight. They must prevent from getting hot in the clutch and turning this game into “Dame Time.” Houston has to find a way to foster a defensive wall against the avalanche that is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is one of the best transition players in basketball. The Rockets need a solid showing from Jalen Green, who’s coming off several sub-par games. And the squad needs to continue to play with the defensive intensity that’s so far given them the second overall rating in the league defensively. Expect a close matchup if the Rockets can hang around with the Bucks. If not it could be a long night, and Coach Udoka may want to rest his players if the game gets out of hand. Tonight is the first of a back to-back for Houston, as they’ll travel to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers on Monday night. Toughness is the key to tonight’s victory. If the Rockets are the more physical, tougher team on the court… they’ll have a chance to escape the mean streets of Milwaukee with a win.

 

Fiserv Forum:  Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-9):  Black

Milwaukee Bucks (18-7):  White

 

Tip-Off:  6:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass