Rockets Eke out OT win over Bucks
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets made life more difficult Monday afternoon versus the Milwaukee Bucks; but, the bottom line is the Rockets picked up a 101-98 overtime victory in front of 17,187 fans on MLK, Jr. Day.
"Good to get the win," said Rick Adelman, after the game. "We really got sluggish in the second half. We ran enough plays to win the game. I saw some good things; and, things we just need to keep working at."
In the first quarter, the Rockets continued their porous defense from Friday night as the Bucks ran a clinic in the first six minutes and scored 12 points in the paint to lead 18-8.
"First quarter was not good," Adelman added. "The first six minutes were not good. It was everything we worked on. It's not going to be easy We got the win. We got things we have to work on and correct. We have to keep moving on."
The Rockets (23-18) trailed the Bucks (16-23) 34 to 27 after the first quarter. Both teams shot better than 60 percent from the field. Milwaukee shot 63.6% (14 for 22, 4 for 8 on threes) while the Rockets shot 64.7% (11 for 17) from the field.
The Rockets' reserves slowed down the Bucks in the second quarter and scored 27 of 31 points as the Rockets outscored the Bucks 31-17 in the period. Chase Budinger scored 12 points in the quarter.
Luis Scola led the Rockets with a season and game-high 27 points. Scola also pulled down 15 boards.
Scola scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Bucks had trouble defending him on the low block. Unfortuntately, the Rockets shot a woeful 6 for 22 in the quarter; and, Milwaukee outscored Houston 22-21 in the period. The Rockets led 79-73 heading to the fourth period.
After a very slow start, Carl Landry scored 10 of his 12 points in the 4th quarter and the overtime session.
"We need Carl all the time. Carl has to find a way. He seems to be kind of lost out there. When he gets in the game, he's got to get to spots and demand the ball and continue to play through it. It was good to see him get going in the fourth period and the overtime."
Landry admitted, "I've been struggling; but, I have still been positive about the outlook on everything. I'm just continueing to work; and, I'm getting double-teamed. That is something I haven't seen since college; and, I have to adjust. I'm in the process of doing that."
The fourth quarter was an example of points at a premium. The Rockets shot just 3 for 20 from the field and scored 12 points while the Bucks were red-hot in comparison -- 41.2% (7 for 17) from the field.
The Bucks played a zone defense much of the fourth period; and, the Rockets failed to move without the ball and collapse the zone and missed shot after shot.
Aaron Brooks hit a floating jumper to put the Rockets up 87-84 with 4:22 remaining in the quarter; but, Bucks' rookie guard Brandon Jennings made three-point shot over Brooks to tie the game at 87.
Landry drained to free throws; but, Jennings hit a long two (foot barely on the three-point line) to tie the score at 89. After two misses by the Rockets, Luke Ridnour made a fast-break layup to give the Bucks a two point lead with 1:41 on the game clock.
Scola tied the game at 91 with two made free throws with 1:04 on the clock. Neither team scored the final 64 seconds. Jennings had a chance to win the game; but, he dribbled down the shot clock and launched a 28-foot three-point jumper which clanged off the rim.
Landry scored the first five points in overtime and blocked a shot by Jennings. Scola hit an open jumper to give the Rockets a 100-93 lead with 2:46 on the clock.
Carlos Delfino drained an open three-point shot to trim the Rockets lead to four; then, the Rockets committed two straight shot clock violations before Bucks big man Andrew Bogut tipped in a miss to cut the Rockets lead to 100-98 with 33.8 seconds remaining.
Brooks split two free throws which allowed the Bucks to set up a play with 8.6 seconds on the clock.
Jennings received the inbounds pass; dribbled off a high pick; penetrated; and passed the ball to the corner to a wide open Ridnour. Ridnour's three-point shot rimmed out; and, the Rockets picked up the hard fought win.
"The last play is really irritating that they missed the three on," a frustrated Adelman said. "We talked exactly what they were going to do; and, we make a mental mistake and open up. Luckily, he didn't make the shot. Those types of things happen in the first quarter; fourth quarter; they all pile up.
We did enough to win the game."
"Good to get the win," said Rick Adelman, after the game. "We really got sluggish in the second half. We ran enough plays to win the game. I saw some good things; and, things we just need to keep working at."
In the first quarter, the Rockets continued their porous defense from Friday night as the Bucks ran a clinic in the first six minutes and scored 12 points in the paint to lead 18-8.
"First quarter was not good," Adelman added. "The first six minutes were not good. It was everything we worked on. It's not going to be easy We got the win. We got things we have to work on and correct. We have to keep moving on."
The Rockets (23-18) trailed the Bucks (16-23) 34 to 27 after the first quarter. Both teams shot better than 60 percent from the field. Milwaukee shot 63.6% (14 for 22, 4 for 8 on threes) while the Rockets shot 64.7% (11 for 17) from the field.
The Rockets' reserves slowed down the Bucks in the second quarter and scored 27 of 31 points as the Rockets outscored the Bucks 31-17 in the period. Chase Budinger scored 12 points in the quarter.
Luis Scola led the Rockets with a season and game-high 27 points. Scola also pulled down 15 boards.
Scola scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Bucks had trouble defending him on the low block. Unfortuntately, the Rockets shot a woeful 6 for 22 in the quarter; and, Milwaukee outscored Houston 22-21 in the period. The Rockets led 79-73 heading to the fourth period.
After a very slow start, Carl Landry scored 10 of his 12 points in the 4th quarter and the overtime session.
"We need Carl all the time. Carl has to find a way. He seems to be kind of lost out there. When he gets in the game, he's got to get to spots and demand the ball and continue to play through it. It was good to see him get going in the fourth period and the overtime."
Landry admitted, "I've been struggling; but, I have still been positive about the outlook on everything. I'm just continueing to work; and, I'm getting double-teamed. That is something I haven't seen since college; and, I have to adjust. I'm in the process of doing that."
The fourth quarter was an example of points at a premium. The Rockets shot just 3 for 20 from the field and scored 12 points while the Bucks were red-hot in comparison -- 41.2% (7 for 17) from the field.
The Bucks played a zone defense much of the fourth period; and, the Rockets failed to move without the ball and collapse the zone and missed shot after shot.
Aaron Brooks hit a floating jumper to put the Rockets up 87-84 with 4:22 remaining in the quarter; but, Bucks' rookie guard Brandon Jennings made three-point shot over Brooks to tie the game at 87.
Landry drained to free throws; but, Jennings hit a long two (foot barely on the three-point line) to tie the score at 89. After two misses by the Rockets, Luke Ridnour made a fast-break layup to give the Bucks a two point lead with 1:41 on the game clock.
Scola tied the game at 91 with two made free throws with 1:04 on the clock. Neither team scored the final 64 seconds. Jennings had a chance to win the game; but, he dribbled down the shot clock and launched a 28-foot three-point jumper which clanged off the rim.
Landry scored the first five points in overtime and blocked a shot by Jennings. Scola hit an open jumper to give the Rockets a 100-93 lead with 2:46 on the clock.
Carlos Delfino drained an open three-point shot to trim the Rockets lead to four; then, the Rockets committed two straight shot clock violations before Bucks big man Andrew Bogut tipped in a miss to cut the Rockets lead to 100-98 with 33.8 seconds remaining.
Brooks split two free throws which allowed the Bucks to set up a play with 8.6 seconds on the clock.
Jennings received the inbounds pass; dribbled off a high pick; penetrated; and passed the ball to the corner to a wide open Ridnour. Ridnour's three-point shot rimmed out; and, the Rockets picked up the hard fought win.
"The last play is really irritating that they missed the three on," a frustrated Adelman said. "We talked exactly what they were going to do; and, we make a mental mistake and open up. Luckily, he didn't make the shot. Those types of things happen in the first quarter; fourth quarter; they all pile up.
We did enough to win the game."
posted by Kris G @ 6:00 PM
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