By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Dec 2022
December 11, 2022
Ala David versus Goliath, the upstart Rockets slew the mighty Bucks, 97-92, at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday night.
Facing the second-best team in the league, rising Filipino-American guard Jalen Green powered Houston past Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee to extend their home win-streak to four.
Against all odds, the upstart Green emphatically dropped 30 points (12 of 21 shooting, going 3 of 6 on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, and 3 assists as he led an inspired Houston team that was without their beloved head coach Stephen Silas who was grieving the loss of his father Paul Silas who died last Sunday.
Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Kenyon Martin Jr. had 10 points and 5 rebounds for the Rockets.
With help from the spirit above, Houston, as a team, made 40 of 91 buckets (44% FG) and 6 of 27 treys (22.2% 3-PT).
Late in the fourth quarter, the Rockets closed the show with a 14-3 run while limiting the Bucks to 1-of-8 shooting and forcing 6 turnovers.
The Rockets scored more in the paint 56-36, and made 11 of 12 free throws, going 5 of 6 in the final minute to put the game away.
Of interest, the Rockets went from their worst defensive game to their best of the season as they held Antetokounmpo to 16 points despite 18 rebounds.
As a team, the full-strength but bewildered Bucks was subpar making 30-of-90 buckets (36.7% FG) and 12-of-43 treys (27.9% 3-PT).
Jrue Holiday had 25 points and 8 assists for Milwaukee, Bobby Portis added 17 points and 15 rebounds while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points and 18 rebounds.
In a fruitless effort, Antetokounmpo scored his 15,000th point in the second quarter. The Bucks had previously won four in a row.
The improbable win by the young Rockets against the mighty Bucks tonight was dedicated to their head coach Stephen Silas and his late father.
Assistant coach John Lucas took the reins as the emotional Rockets (8-28) sent the Bucks (19-7) home with a loss.
“That’s for Coach,” Lucas lamented, “That one’s for him.”
The Boston Globe's Bob Ryan, a personal friend of Silas was first to relay the sad news of the death of former Houston coach and Celtics forward Paul Silas at the age of 79 last Sunday.
“I am very sad to report that the Great Paul Silas has died at age 79. To watch him play was a joy. To be his friend was an honor.”
Paul Silas played 16 NBA seasons, including four with Boston from 1972 to 1976, St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and the Seattle SuperSonics.
Silas was a three-time NBA champion— 2 with Boston (1974, 76) and once with Seattle (1979), two-time All-Star (1972 with Phoenix, 1975 with Boston), two-time All-Defensive First Team (1975 and 1976 with Boston) and three-time All-Defensive Second Team (1971 and 1972 with Phoenix, 1973 with Boston). He averaged 9.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, in 1,254 career games.
Upcoming:
Houston Rockets: Host Phoenix on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee Bucks: Host Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
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