Rockets 100, Bucks 97: In gritty win, Houston draws postgame praise for defense, culture
HOUSTON -- With a spectacular defensive effort in the fourth quarter, the Rockets added another quality win to their ledger with Tuesday's 100-97 victory (box score) at Toyota Center over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.
Houston (36-22, No. 5 in Western Conference standings) is now 19-9 at home this season. The Rockets are 4-2 since a six-game losing streak earlier this month. With the loss, Milwaukee (32-25) fell to No. 5 in the East.
The Rockets held the Bucks to just 38 points in the second half and 12 in the fourth quarter. Though Houston has struggled at times defensively in recent weeks (amid widespread roster injuries), the Rockets remain a top-four defense overall for the NBA's 2024-25 season. And now, with the team getting healthier amid the recent return of Jabari Smith Jr., they're showing why a healthy version of the Rockets remains a force on the defensive end of the court.
Individual statistics and highlights are available in our game recap. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with a game-high 27 points, while Jalen Green (25 points, 8 rebounds) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 11 rebounds) were the statistical standouts for Houston.
Here's a look at what was said postgame in both locker rooms. Houston returns to action Wednesday night at home versus San Antonio (24-31), with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central.
Doc Rivers with effusive praise for Ime Udoka & Houston's young core: 'They play to [Ime's] attitude. Physical, tough. … First time in a while you can say they have a solid culture in Houston.'Added Jalen Green is 'playing terrific. He's really starting to shoot the ball.' pic.twitter.com/GlBsgBf8MX
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) February 26, 2025
Doc Rivers: "Offensively, we didn't play as well as we can. We're a better team than that offensively. This is one of those games that'll keep you up at night. It really was."
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 26, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo spent some time getting to know Alperen Sengun during All-Star Weekend. I asked him about Alpi and he shared a great story from their time together in the Bay Area.Apparently, his son is a big fan of Sengun: pic.twitter.com/pMFSDv6ltK
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 26, 2025
Caught up with Damian Lillard after the game and got his thoughts on the up and coming Rockets. He listed just about everyone on their roster, impressed with their growth:'They've got some really good pieces and they're starting to grow up.' pic.twitter.com/3UqcjpWB7Q
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 26, 2025
Damian Lillard, on not getting three shots on the late foul by the Rockets: https://t.co/9u3TIJHIGA pic.twitter.com/vLEDsZCfNV
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 26, 2025
https://t.co/F36oo5MrFH pic.twitter.com/8ArpMJ4uSM
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 26, 2025
Asked Ime Udoka about Alperen Sengun's late game turnover. It wasn't just Udoka who coached him up, but his teammates as well. He did make sure to note Sengun made up for it in other ways:'Guys had a laugh about it, but some guys also let him know it's not funny.' pic.twitter.com/OssDOsNrpN
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 26, 2025
#Rockets beat the Bucks 100-97Jalen Green 25 PTS & 8 REB@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/pm2qr4UWj6
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 26, 2025
#Rockets beat Milwaukee 100-97Alperen Sengun 23 PTS / 11 REB / 3 BLK@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/zuDe8lh603
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 26, 2025
More: Rockets 100, Bucks 97: Houston holds on with elite defensive effort in fourth quarter
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: 'Physical, tough': Rockets earn postgame praise after defeating Bucks
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