The Milwaukee Bucks, the second best team in the Eastern Conference, fell to the Houston Rockets, who are tied for the worst record in the Western Conference. Of course, in the grand scheme of an 82-game season, one loss does not make or break a team. As Behind the Buck Pass contributor Nathan Marizon pointed out:
The year the Bucks won the Finals they lost to the 17-win Rockets, the 22-win Thunder, and the 27-win Raptors (twice).
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) December 12, 2022
As we learned that year, a loss (or four) a bad team does not break an otherwise great season. However, that does not take away from the absolute poor display by the Bucks on Sunday night.
Bucks battle but fall late to the young Rockets in Houston. pic.twitter.com/uVa0Ngitzs
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2022
Three Studs
Jrue Holiday
On a night that saw most Bucks players go cold from the floor, Jrue Holiday was one of the lone consistent players on offense. He scored 25 points on 9-20 shooting (4-9 from the three) and was 3-3 from the free throw line. Holiday also added six rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.
Jrue keeping it consistent.
25 PTS | 6 REB | 8 AST | 3 STL pic.twitter.com/pqsdZuQ2Z7
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2022
Bobby Portis
Perhaps the only other consistent offensive performer the Bucks had against the Rockets was Bobby Portis. He had yet another double-double off the bench for Milwaukee, scoring 17 points and hauling in 15 rebounds.
Bobby "Double-Double" Portis.
17 PTS | 15 REB pic.twitter.com/jU9CGSJbmQ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2022
Jevon Carter
The Milwaukee Bucks shot a woeful 27.6% from three against the Rockets. That was in no way because of Jevon Carter, who scored nine points while shooting 3-5 from three. Carter also had two rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot in 28 minutes off of the bench,
Jevon Carter nails the jumper from downtown 👌pic.twitter.com/YZb4bffyaW
— Bucks Nation (@BucksNationCP) December 12, 2022
Three Duds
Giannis Antetokounmpo
To any other player, the night Giannis had would have been a pretty good night. 16 points, 18 rebounds (season-high), and four assists is, generally, a pretty good line. But this isn’t any other player; this is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Going 7-17 from the floor (0-2 from three) and 2-6 from the free throw line is just not going to get the job done.
Giannis did, however, score his 15,000th career point in this game.
Grayson Allen
The Bucks have, generally, gotten very good production from Grayson Allen this season. Last night, he did have 11 points, but was only 2-12 from the floor (2-9 from three). If it were not for going 5-5 from the free throw line, his point total would have been more reflective of the game he played.
Pat Connaughton
To say that Pat Connaughton has been disappointing since starting the season late due to a leg injury would be an understatement. He is shooting just 25% from three and 30% from the field overall. Against the Rockets, he had seven points, going 3-10 from the floor (1-6 from three). Connaughton needs to start playing better, or he could end up losing playing time to Joe Ingles.
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