In a high-profile road game versus an NBA title contender, the improved Houston Rockets made Milwaukee work. They could not, however, get over the final hump in Sunday’s 128-119 loss (box score) to the Bucks (19-7) — who were led by their duo of frequent MVP candidates, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Lillard led the Bucks with a game-high 39 points and 11 assists, shooting 11-of-19 from the field (57.9%) and 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%). Antetokounmpo added 26 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%). Milwaukee out-rebounded the Rockets on the night by a decisive 56-39 margin, with several generating extra shot chances when Houston badly needed a stop.
With the loss, Houston (13-10) had its five-game winning streak snapped. The final margin was worsened by a series of controversial calls and ejections (Dillon Brooks and Ime Udoka) in the game’s final 40 seconds, which ballooned a margin that had been as slim as one possession with under six minutes left to play.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points and 6 assists on 8-of-16 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%). Backcourt mate Jalen Green had an efficient 16 points and a team-high 7 assists, making 6-of-11 shots (54.5%) and 2-of-4 from behind the arc (50.0%).
Other standout players for the Rockets included:
- Alperen Sengun: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%)
- Dillon Brooks: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%)
- Tari Eason: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jeff Green: 16 points in 17 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%), 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%)
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Sunday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a challenging road back-to-back concludes, is Monday’s matchup at Cleveland (14-12). Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.
Dec. 17 Rockets-Bucks reaction
Dillon Brooks gets pushed out of bounds. No call.
Brooks then gets ejected for arguing the obviously missed call.
Ime Udoka ejected shortly after for also arguing with the officials. pic.twitter.com/LiSVRaf5JX
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 18, 2023
FINAL: Bucks 128, Rockets 119. Houston's 5-game win streak snapped. Defense got worked much of the night and they were especially beat on the boards (56-39). VanVleet 22p-6a, Sengun 20p-8r, Brooks 18p, Jalen Green 16p-7a, Jabari 16p.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 18, 2023
Wow, once you look at how the Rockets did against the Bucks players individually, you see that they did quite well against Giannis, Khris didn't have a good game. Lopez and Portis were good but in their roles.
It's mainly the Lillard explosion that killed us. 39 PTS, 11 AST
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 18, 2023
Rockets lose. Just weren't quite on point. Guessing they beat the Bucks at home if they stay healthy.
Excellent offensive night from the starters, Jeff Green and Tari Eason. Defense was a different story.
Once again, they didn't give up until the end. @ Cleveland tomorrow
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 18, 2023
Really impressed with the team effort tonight by the Rockets
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 18, 2023
Look at these smiles!
Fred VanVleet & the FVV Family Foundation are hosting 100+ kids from his hometown Rockford, IL to attend the Rockets @ Bucks game.
Fred provided transportation, game tickets, meal vouchers, t-shirts, as well as a post-game meet & greet. ❤️
For many of… pic.twitter.com/HLC9izGuyq
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) December 18, 2023
Ime Udoka on the elbow Fred VanVleet took early in the game:
"Very similar to the call they called on Dillon. Fred got elbowed too. One goes one way and one goes the other. I can see it from the opposite end and three refs can't see it right there." pic.twitter.com/bVvqpYYdCJ
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 18, 2023
The Rockets' defense in the 4th quarter has (finally) been up to par. In this quarter, they're just losing to incredible talent.
A shame they weren't this locked in earlier.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 18, 2023
this angle of this @JalenGreen finish 😮💨
🎥: @NBA pic.twitter.com/w6dp5gxsZI
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 18, 2023
#Rockets are taking the full-strength Bucks down to the wire, in Milwaukee. This is one of their most impressive efforts yet
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 18, 2023
We will probably end up losing but I’m so encouraged by Jalen tonight. This is who he can be. Just have to find the consistency.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 18, 2023
The #Rockets need to:
1. Utilize Sengun post-ups with more frequency
2. Get Jabari shooting from the mid-range more, including curls to the free-throw area to catch and rise and shoot
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 18, 2023
Dillon Brooks and Ime Udoka are simultaneously ejected from the game because NBA referees are the worst in any sport
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 18, 2023
Competed until the final minutes. It’s always nice to see a #Rockets win, but guarding two MVP caliber players along with 2 All-Stars who play well off the rest of the team is hard enough.
This loss will sting a bit, but good showing overall.
— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) December 18, 2023
😂 Rockets got the Draymond Green of coaches .. but nah these refs are trash
— Apathetic (@ftank58) December 18, 2023
Ime Udoka assisted in this loss with his lineups tonight.. went a bit too much to the well that’s Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday and Tate
— Apathetic (@ftank58) December 18, 2023
This is as bad as Jabari's looked in a couple weeks – but you can't complain because he's been great defensively & on the boards the previous 10 games. This is a tough matchup for anybody
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) December 18, 2023
One thing you can say about Ime is he will always stick up for his players pic.twitter.com/pTEqQDFyCG
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 18, 2023
You always want to watch a Bucks game on a delay so you can fast forward through Giannis shooting free throws
— Rocketgirl (@00rocketgirl) December 18, 2023
The Rockets only allow 52 first half points per game, lowest in the NBA.
Bucks just hung 71 on them.
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) December 18, 2023
5️⃣ finished with 22 pts and 4-8 from the arc!@CreditKarma | #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/BpgvEoKKnX
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 18, 2023
Official Bill Kennedy said the Dillon Brooks inadvertent elbow on a fast break was an "illegal act" while the Brook Lopez elbow to Fred VanVleet was "part of a normal basketball move."
Brooks was ejected for "disrespecting a game official using profanity." https://t.co/HjuUhER6wF pic.twitter.com/4dz4AyGJdH
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 18, 2023
