When the Rockets last faced the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 10, they entered on a seven-game winning streak and were, improbably, the NBA’s hottest team. But since losing at home that night to the defending champions, Houston has slipped back toward its expected rebuilding path, with only two wins over the team’s latest seven-game stretch.
In that earlier meeting, Giannis Antetokounmpo took over with 41 points and 17 rebounds while making 15-of-19 shots (78.9%) overall. This time, though, the two-time league MVP isn’t expected to be available due to a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. On paper, that could be an opening for Christian Wood and the Rockets to make amends.
Wednesday is the start of a quirky scheduling stretch for the Rockets, whose next six games through Jan. 1 are all part of back-to-backs. But that might not be as difficult as it would have been earlier in the season, since veteran guard Eric Gordon is now cleared to play in both parts.
