Milwaukee Bucks Grades, Reactions To 102-98 Loss To The Houston Rockets

Jan 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeat the Bucks 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeat the Bucks 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks strong run of road form came to an end at the hands of James Harden and his Houston Rockets. 

Jan 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) walks back up the court after the Bucks turn the ball over against the Houston Rockets during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeat the Bucks 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) walks back up the court after the Bucks turn the ball over against the Houston Rockets during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeat the Bucks 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

It says a lot about the progress the Milwaukee Bucks have made in the last couple of weeks that a road loss against a Western Conference playoff team driven by the play of one of last year’s leading MVP candidates now counts as a genuine disappointment.

The game wasn’t really as close as it looks from the scoreline though. Sure, the Bucks closed the gap and pulled themselves within range on a number of occasions, but on this night self-sabotage never truly seemed too far away, and a rusty start ultimately proved costly.

That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of encouragement to take moving on from Houston, as many of the key individual trends from recent games continued.

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It was sloppy mistakes and careless turnovers that cost the Bucks as they achieved the rare feat of losing in spite of shooting a better field goal percentage, dishing more assists and grabbing more rebounds than their opponent.

I’d expect a better Bucks team on Saturday night in New Orleans.

Let’s take a closer look at how the game played out with your Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions.

Next: Reactions: The Good