Rockets' season-high 12 blocked shots part of solid defense in win over Bucks

Posted: January 18, 2017 -- 10:40 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston blocked a season-high 12 shots tonight in a 111-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets improve to 13-0 when holding the opposition below 100 points this season. The Rockets outshot the Bucks 45.3% to 39.8% in the game. The Rockets are 24-3 when shooting 45 percent or better this season and 26-1 when outshooting the opposition. The Rockets are also 23-0 when holding opponents below 45.0% field goal shooting.

The Bucks led 12-4 and all 12 of the Bucks' points came in the paint.

The game turned in the second quarter. The Rockets (33-12) trailed 27-22 after the first 12 minutes; but, the Rockets clamped down in the second period and limited the Bucks to 3 made field goals -- out of 21 attempts. The Rockets held the Bucks without a field goal for nearly the last 7:38 of the quarter.

"Guarded harder," said head coach Mike D'Antoni of the difference in defense at the start of the game to the second quarter. "You know we did a better job of switching and not getting fooled by slips and things of that sort. And, at a certain point, guys locked in a little better."

"That was the key to the game," James Harden said of the Rockets' defense. "I think we're realizing that in order for us to get to where we want to go, we have to get stops. When we get stops, we are 10 times better. Just because we get out; we get in transition; we get easy points; easy threes and layups.

"So, tonight was a good start for us. We just have to carry it over."

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo's layup at the 7:38 mark was Milwaukee's last field goal until teammate Jabari Parker scored a layup with 54.8 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Rockets outscored the Bucks 15-0 during the Bucks' scoring drought. The blitz was part of an 18-0 Rockets' run which erased a 32-29 deficit to a 47-32 lead.

The Rockets led 52-39 at halftime. The lead grew to 16 points twice in the third quarter before Antetokounmpo scored 10 points during a 14-3 run which sliced the Rockets' lead to five points (62-57) with 5:59 remaining in the third period.

After head coach Mike D'Antoni called timeout, James Harden nailed a three-point shot; then, Gordon hit a three to increase the lead to 11 points. Harden made two free throws; Nene scored layup from a Harden assist and Gordon nailed another three-pointer to boost the lead to 75-59 with 3:18 remaining in the quarter.

The Bucks (20-21) got as close as seven points (86-79) in the final period; but, Ariza, Harden (twice), and Gordon each made three points to blow the game open. Gordon's three-point bucket gave the Rockets a 98-79 lead with 5:27 remaining in the ball game.

Harden scored a game-high 38 points while Eric Gordon scored 25 points in 32 minutes off the bench.

The Rockets enjoyed a lead as large as 22 points before cruising to the 19 point victory.

The Rockets improve to 24-2 when scoring 110 plus points this season.

The Rockets are now 11-1 in the first game following a loss this season; and, also 10-1 in the second game of back-to-backs.

"Just the type of people they are," D'Antoni said of the team's great record in back-to-back games this season. I mean that's all you got to go on -- how gig their hearts are. And, we have energy guys that you know always play hard. So, they don't care -- back-to-back or not.

"We just got guys that play heard and understand what's at stake all year; so, they've done a great job."

The Rockets' next game is Friday, January 20, versus the Golden State Warriors. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside Toyota Center.

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