The Houston Rockets (7-18, 4-5 Home) will try to break down the league’s top shooting defense when they play host to the Milwaukee Bucks (19-6, 7-3 Away) on Sunday. Milwaukee squeaked by the Dallas Mavericks 106-105 at American Airlines Center on Friday, their fourth consecutive win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 28 points and 10 rebounds. The Bucks are two games back in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting in second. Houston came up short on Thursday at AT&T Center, falling to the San Antonio Spurs 118-109. Jabari Smith Jr. had 23 points in the losing effort, carrying the team. The Rockets are the 15th seed in the Western Conference.
It’s the final meeting of the season between the teams. Milwaukee will be looking for a season sweep against Houston after triumphing in the only prior matchup 125-105 at Fiserv Forum on October 22, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 44 points and 12 rebounds.
Jalen Green had 22 points in the loss. Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.9 points per game, best in the league, to lead the Bucks in scoring this season. Antetokounmpo also has grabbed 11.0 rebounds per game, most in the league. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday is dishing 7.4 assists.
Green and Kevin Porter Jr. have powered the Rockets on offense, averaging 21.3 and 18.8 points per game, respectively. Green leads the league in scoring, while Porter Jr. is first. Porter Jr. also has doled out 5.8 assists per game, most in the league. Alperen Sengun has averaged 8.7 rebounds per game.
Opponents are shooting 44.7% from the field against the Bucks, ranking as the NBA’s toughest FG% defense. The Rockets have had the advantage in recent games between the teams at Toyota Center, winning six of the last 10. Milwaukee is looking for a fifth consecutive road win this season.
Houston is seeking a fourth consecutive win at home this season. In the last 10 games, Milwaukee is 8-2 with an average margin of +5.9 (115.7-109.8). Houston has a 4-6 record over the last 10, allowing 118.4 points per game on average while scoring only 113.4 (-5.0 margin).
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Milwaukee Bucks -9.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
