After taking on an Eastern Conference power on Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks will next deal with a serious title contender from the Western Conference in the form of James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Check out our preview of this Bucks vs. Rockets game below.
After nearly four months, the Bucks are finally back in the win column. On Friday, the Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics, 119-112, while also winning against the spread. Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 36 points on 14-of-20 shots from the field, while also grabbing 15 rebounds in 32 minutes on the floor. Khris Middleton supplied 18 points. Big man Brook Lopez scored 10 points, but his value was truly felt on the other end of the court, as he swatted away six shots. That kind of rim protection will be needed by the Bucks against the speedy Rockets, who have lots of players capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. Milwaukee’s size poses matchup problems for Houston also, as the Rockets don’t have a traditional center outside of the aging Tyson Chandler.
The under is 7-3 in the Bucks’ last 10 games, though, the totals hit the over in the Boston game.
James Harden went supernova on Friday, dropping a 49-piece on the Dallas Mavericks to help the Rockets secure a 153-149 overtime win. Harden also finished the night with nine rebounds and eight assists. Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, looked healthy and way past his COVID-19 debacle, as he played his way to a 31-point night. He also had 11 rebounds and eight assists. The Rockets used a short rotation to beat the Mavs, playing just eight men with Harden and Westbrook sharing the bulk of the responsibilities, especially on offense, for the Rockets, who now have a two-game win streak going for them. The Rockets’ outside shooting was outstanding in the Mavs game, as Houston knocked down 19 triples on 48 attempts. The Bucks’ size and length pose a threat to the Rockets, but Houston’s ability to break down defenses with Harden’s and Westbrook’s abilities to do son 1-on-1 should provide lots of chances for their team’s shooters.
The Rockets are 4-6 against the spread in their last 10 home games.
