Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 117-111 win over Houston Rockets

Where to improve

Although they managed to pull out the win late, there are obvious areas and holes for the Bucks to improve upon moving forward.

Both the performances of Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton will have to be better as the duo combined for 22 points on 8-of-28 shooting from the field (5-of-13 from long range). Despite a hot start as the Bucks struggled out of the gate, Bledsoe’s rhythm was clearly disrupted having gotten into foul trouble, nevermind the fact that he’s coming back from the rib injury that he suffered during the preseason.

And as a result of both Antetokounmpo and Bledsoe’s foul trouble, Middleton was thrust into an uncomfortable position leading the team’s offense when they were struggling to gather their bearings following the slow start. Even so, though, Middleton was stuck between gears when looking to score the ball, especially inside the arc as he went 1-of-7 on his attempts from two-point range.

From a bigger picture sense, the Bucks will look to improve on their transition defense, a staple in Budenholzer-led teams as we saw last season. The Rockets, especially former MVP guard, Russell Westbrook, were eager to push the pace and the Rockets scored 27 fast break points as a result (the Bucks, meanwhile, converted 17 transition points).

With that being a key to the offensive success the Rockets generated throughout the night, Milwaukee will surely look to wall off the open floor with their full defensive personnel and under better circumstances.

The Bucks will look to add to their undefeated start to the season when they hold their home opener at Fiserv Forum Saturday afternoon against the Miami Heat for a 4pm central time tip off.