What if the Bucks finally achieved their benchmark victory? Back on the floor after his time in the “concussion protocol”, Damian Lillard puts on his “Dame Time” costume to score the winning basket three seconds from the siren (101-100). This is Milwaukee's third victory in four games. The Rockets, back-to-back, remained on five consecutive victories.
Let's be clear, the return of Damian Lillard to the starting five has not really energized the team… After three minutes, the Rockets are already leading 9-0, and Alperen Şengun confirms his current great form with his assists, his points and rebounds. A real hub, which allows the Rockets to be up to 13 points ahead. And then the Bucks, thanks to Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr, pick up the score, and it is finally Lillard, with three free throws in the last seconds, who bring the Bucks back to one unit (28-27).
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. changed the course of the match, and even the face of their team, and Milwaukee's pivot is untenable. We find the Lopez of his best years in Milwaukee, and he is 4/5 from 3-point range, totaling 16 points at halftime. After returning to the locker room after a big fall, he reassured everyone. For his part, Trent added 12 points coming off the bench. Twelve as Milwaukee's lead at the break: 57-45.
The Rockets are cracking in “money time”
Returning from the locker room, we find the Bucks from the start of the match. The shot choices are questionable, Giannis Antetokounmpo misses shots, and despite a lead of 14 points (71-57), the Bucks lose control. After a good passage from Tari Eason and Amen Thompson, it was Fred VanVleet who took the match into his own hands. The Rockets leader goes looking for fouls, and he hits from afar. The Rockets returned to -3 (83-80).
Building on their momentum, the Rockets started the last quarter with a 5-0 to take control. Thanks to Sengun and Jalen Green, Houston holds the right end, and Ime Udoka's players lead by six points (100-94) with less than two minutes remaining. And then nothing more… Lillard plants two shots then finds AJ Green at 3-points. In twenty seconds, the Bucks came back to one unit (100-99). Dillon Brooks misses his shot, then Giannis covers Sengun's little “floater”. Match point is for Lillard. He runs the clock, and alone, he goes to cut through the defense to score in a forest of arms: “Dame Time” has struck!
There are three seconds left to play, and the Bucks are up 7-0. After a smart foul from Andre Jackson Jr to gain two seconds, the Rockets decided to serve Sengun, but the ball was deflected and the Bucks won for the third time in four matches.
What to remember
Houston down. After his card the day before against the Bulls, the Rockets attack coughed. Never have the Rockets scored so few points this season (100), and never have they been so clumsy (40%).
Giannis suffered. It's rare to see the “Greek Freak” caught in a spider's web. This was the case last night against the caliber of the Rockets, whether it was Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson or Tari Eason. Giannis only takes 17 shots and loses 8 balls!
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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.
