The first quarter quickly set the tone and color of this meeting: it was not going to be sublime or brilliant. The whistles were numerous (48 in total), so were the lost balls, and the match took place more on the free-throw line than elsewhere. The Rockets finish strong with a 13-0 to respond to Giannis Antetokounmpo (29-18).
The Bucks are very average and Alperen Sengun takes advantage of it wonderfully. With Fred VanVleet or Jalen Green, the two-player with the Turk dominates the Milwaukee defense and Houston logically makes the hole. There are twenty points ahead at the break (63-43). The third quarter is balanced (89-73) and everything will be decided in the last act.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his gang are mounting pressure defensively to come back. The Greek is particularly motivated since he scores 17 points in this final quarter. And with two baskets from Khris Middleton, we think the 2021 champions can dream. But it doesn't continue after that, the Rockets grit their teeth and it lasts until the end (112-108).
What you must remember
Giannis Antetokounmpo too alone. The MVP of the 2021 Finals finished with 48 points at 16/25 shooting and 15/21 free throws, and 17 rebounds. Well hampered by the wall put up by Ime Udoka in the first half, therefore unable to accelerate, he managed to get rid of it in the second half. Except that Damian Lillard, 18 points at 5/16 shooting, and Khris Middleton, 10 points at 3/9 shooting, are far from supporting him. Result: he scored 45% of the team's points in a defeat.
Great reaction from the Rockets. The day after a big slap against Wolves, Ime Udoka's troops put in a solid match. The first half was perfect, with only two lost balls. And unlike Milwaukee, the collective played with seven players with more than 10 points and an effective bench.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
