Fresh off a win over the Detroit Pistons, the Milwaukee Bucks welcomed the Houston Rockets to Fiserv Forum for their first meeting of the 2023-24 NBA season.
Despite it being the second night of a back to back, the Bucks rolled with their core players and even got Khris Middleton back, who missed the Detroit game. What ensued was a fun game for the Bucks, which resulted in a 128-119 victory and history being made in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues making history, Milwaukee Bucks down Houston Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been making all sorts of history lately. Of course, he recently dropped a franchise-record 64 points against the Indiana Pacers. Against Houston, the Greek Freak reached yet another monumental feat, as his 14th rebound of the game gave him his 7,162 career rebound, which surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar for the most in Bucks history.
Antetokounmpo now has the most points, rebounds, and assists in Bucks history, joining LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) as the only players to lead a franchise in all three categories, according to NBA History. Talk about some rare company for Antetokounmpo.
Coach Adrian Griffin joked after the game that he believes the Bucks do have the right game ball this time around to celebrate this achievement.
Adrian Griffin, with a smile: "Another game ball today. Giannis all-time rebounder. Leading rebounder in Bucks history. I think he probably has four of those - points, assists, blocks and now rebounding. And I think we got the game ball.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 18, 2023
The Greek Freak finished this one with 26 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists.
For the second consecutive game, it was not Giannis who led the team in scoring, as Damian Lillard took that mantle. The guard was in a tremendous groove, having finished with 39 points, tying the most he's scored in a game this season. Lillard also dished out 11 assists and grabbed three steals, having had an all-around great game as he continues to be in a great rhythm lately.
To round out Milwaukee's Big 3, Khris Middleton also tallied 20 points. After struggling throughout the first three quarters, Middleton came to life in the fourth, having shot 4-of-7 from the floor in the final quarter to tally 14 of those points. Middleton played just a tick over 29 minutes as he continues to see more and more time after being on a tight limit to start the season.
Milwaukee nearly had four 20 or more point scorers in this one, as Brook Lopez finished with 18 of his own. Three of his six made shots came from long range.
Lastly, Andre Jackson Jr. started for Malik Beasley, who has been out due to an illness, for the second consecutive game, and just like the first, he impressed. The rookie finished with nine points on a very efficient 4-of-6 shooting while also snatching six rebounds and dishing four assists. He's been a big piece for them over these last few games and needs to keep getting minutes.
On the other side of things, the Rockets had seven double-digit scorers, having got contributions from everywhere. Fred VanVleet led the way with 22, while Alperen Sengun had 20. Dillon Brooks, who finished with 18, was ejected in the closing moments after arguing with a no call foul, as was Rockets Coach Ime Udoka.
It was great to see the Bucks handle business on a back-to-back, and there will be plenty of attention on the team's next matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.