Houston Rockets Waste a 16-point Lead, Lose Against the Bucks at Home, 117-111

The Milwaukee Bucks came back in the last period to beat Houston Rockets on the road to post their first win of the season. The final result was 117-111 for the guests, who trailed 16 points during the game.

The Bucks would score 39 points in the final period and stun the home team, who lost the rhythm when needed the most. Although playing without the last year’s MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who fouled out with five minutes before the end, Milwaukee managed to get out as a winner from the exciting finish.

“These guys in this locker room, we’re fighters, we’re competitors,” Wesley Matthews said. “If Giannis fouls out we can’t just come into the locker room.”

It was Brook Lopez who took over the wheel, and with the help of Ersan, Ilyasova pushed his team towards the win. Over the final five minutes of the match, Lopez scored 9 points, Ilyasova added 4, all while the game was on the line. The last minute of the contest saw Lopez hitting both of his free-throw shots, and one from the field, while the Turkish international made the final basket of the game for his team, sealing the win at the full Toyota Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_MhlX8BoU

The Rockets were leading throughout all three quarters, setting up a strong tempo right from the start. They opened the game with seven straight points, before reaching a 17-5 lead, which came after just 3:47. In those moments, the home team was looking unstoppable on both ends of the floor, but the Bucks somehow held on to close the first period with a 30-23 deficit.

But the second sequence saw the Rockets once again setting the tone, and their powerful finish during which D’Antoni’s guys scored 9 points in a row, provided them a 66-50 advantage before the break. The hosts would open the second half in the same manner, but the relentless Bucks didn’t want to go down. Already at the beginning of the fourth, they reached the Rockets who couldn’t prevent the free fall, as Giannis started to tore them apiece. The 13-3 run of the team from Wisconsin completely erased their deficit, and the game was now tight.

The two teams traded buckets, but occasionally, Bucks would stop one of the Rockets’ attacks, and score on the other side.

Giannis posted a triple-double in the first game of the campaign, with 30 points, 13 boards, and 11 assists. Wesley Matthews had 14 buckets, while three other starters Bledsoe, Lopez, and Middleton, had 11 each.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-svZN187w4

Ilyasova was excellent off the bench with 13 points and 11 boards, missing just two of his 8 shots from the field.

As for the Rockers, both Harden and Westbrook had god statistical numbers, but their team couldn’t win. Russ would end the game with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists, while Harden failed to meet his standards from the previous season.
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The Beard was just 2 of 13 from the field, with one made three in 8 attempts. He added 14 assists on that and 7 boards but wasn’t able to contribute with points as he usually does. Harden also had 7 turnovers.

“They’re going to be fine,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It’s sad to say, but we’re not going to win 82 games this year. Now we’ve got a chance to win 81.”

Westbrook was a bit annoyed with all the questions about his and Harden’s partnership and the fact that they haven’t played together for seven years. Many are doubting that they can fit in together now.

“We never disconnected in seven years,” Westbrook said. “We talked all the time, we talked throughout the season, we talked after games, I watches his game, he’s watched mine, he texted me, I texted him, so right now is easy.”

Clint Capela had a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards, while PJ Tucker scored 17 points, hitting 5 threes in 8 shots.

Up next, Houston plays at home against the New Orleans Pelicans, while Milwaukee hosts the Miami Heat.