Two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 41 points and 17 rebounds as the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks took over late in Friday’s game to finally snap a seven-game winning streak by the host Houston Rockets, 123-114 (box score).
The “Greek Freak” connected on 15-of-19 shots (78.9%) from the field, and he had plenty of help from teammates Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis, who scored 21 points apiece and combined to make 8-of-18 shots from 3-point range (44.4%). Milwaukee (17-10) trailed for much of the game, but they outscored Houston (8-17) by a commanding 33-19 margin in the fourth quarter to finally take control at Toyota Center.
Garrison Mathews scored 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting on 3-pointers (54.5%) to lead the Rockets, representing the most points yet for “Garry Bird” in Houston. Christian Wood added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Armoni Brooks scored 21 points and hit four 3-pointers.
Rookie big man Alperen Sengun had 15 points and 5 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting (75.0%) in only 16 minutes, but he didn’t play in the game’s final nine minutes as Milwaukee took over in the clutch. See below for highlights and postgame reaction from the Houston locker room.
Friday’s game wraps up a four-game homestand for the rebuilding Rockets, who are now set to begin a rough stretch of eight road games in their next nine. That starts with Saturday’s visit to Memphis on night two of a split back-to-back, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.
