In what might just be the Milwaukee Bucks’ best game of the season, they go down to the Houston Rockets 119-113 with just seven players for most of the night (and all of the senior players sitting). Ousmane Dieng announced himself on the NBA stage, leading the Bucks with 36 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. The Rockets were led by Reed Sheppard, who had 27 points.
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Game Recap
The Bucks suited up EIGHT for this one. Jericho Sims understood the assignment and picked up two fouls in under a minute. Kevin Durant was the main figure early as the Rockets staked out a 10-5 lead. Houston continued to grow their lead, with Reed Sheppard knocking down a couple treys. Perhaps sensing his relative stature, Ousmane Dieng upped his usage, to ill effect. But despite sporting a bench of Andre Jackson Jr., Cormac Ryan, and Alex Antetokounmpo—and losing Gary Trent Jr. to injury to boot—the Bucks parlayed some truly grotesque push shots into a run of inspired YMCA pickup basketball. They ended the frame on an eight-point run to stem the bleeding at 27-20 Rockets.
Houston continued to have a problem in the second, and that problem was offense. That was at least partly to the Bucks’ credit, including some 2-3 zone that the Rockets couldn’t capitalize on from deep. Against all odds, Ime Udoka called a timeout as Milwaukee whittled Houston’s lead to 3. Sadly, Houston (specifically Sheppard) started to make shots again, staking out a healthier lead. Ous continued to call his own number, though this time to better effect (including a sick slam). Josh Okogie injected some well-needed verve into the Rockets as they reclaimed a double-digit advantage. But a couple buckets from Cormac Ryan kept the Bucks in orbit. After an early 15-point deficit, Milwaukee ended the half down a more respectable 54-44.
The Rockets quickly extended their lead to around 15 out of the locker room, with their starters sharing the load equally, leading 72-55 at the 6:42 mark; their size was obviously their biggest advantage against the miniature Bucks lineup. But from there, Milwaukee really took it to the Rockets with an inspired rest of the quarter, headlined by Cormac Ryan and AJ Green. Ryan and Green nailed nine of their 11 tries from deep. Some were just off great ball movement, but others were tough jumpers coming off DHO actions. The Rockets’ clogged-toilet offence even reared its ugly head against the Bucks’ third-strong unit, leaving them trailing by only seven, 85-78, after three.
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The Bucks forced several tough shots to open the fourth, but the Rockets just made them (Alperen Sengun, in particular). Still, Milwaukee wasn’t going anywhere, with Ousmane Dieng notching a new career-high of 23 points following consecutive buckets—Houston up 93-87 at the 8:33 mark. The Rockets were able to run out on the fast break a few times after that, getting their lead back up to double digits. Cormac Ryan wasn’t going out without a fight, though, getting fouled by KD on a three and then driving the lane for a nice filayyyy; Rockets up 102-94 at the halfway mark. Houston would increase their lead to 12, but it was halved in short order after threes from Nance and Green with just 2:40 to go! Fast forward a few minutes, Dieng nailed a step-back jumper for his 36th point, and the Bucks were just down four with 54 seconds left. Unfortunately, the Rockets made just enough plays to win, but what an inspired performance from the Bucks. Wow.
Stat That Stood Out
Somehow, the Bucks (with their tiny lineup) got more O-boards (15) than the Rockets (12).