|
 Trevor Ariza matched a season high with six 3-pointers en route
to 24 points while Josh Smith scored 14 to go along with 10 rebounds
and eight assists for the Rockets, who led by as many as 18 in the
final quarter. Donatas Motiejunas chipped in with 14 points, Corey
Brewer had 11 and Terrence Jones added 10 for Houston, which made
15-of-32 from 3-point range.
Giannis Antetokounmpo registered career highs with 27 points and 15
rebounds for the Bucks, who saw their season-high five-game winning
streak come to an end. Jorge Gutierrez and Jerryd Bayless each
scored 13 points while John Henson and Brandon Knight had 12 apiece
for Milwaukee, which was 4-of-17 from behind the 3-point arc.
 Ariza’s 3-pointer highlighted an 11-0 burst for a 12-point lead in
the first quarter and the Rockets led by as many as 18 in the second
before settling for a 68-56 edge at intermission. The Rockets shot
57.4 percent from the field and Ariza made five of their 10 from
beyond the arc on the way to 21 points in the opening half.
The Bucks were able to shrink the lead to seven in the third
quarter, but Harden had four points as Houston recorded the final
six for a 96-82 advantage going to the fourth. Bayless scored eight
to help Milwaukee cut an 18-point deficit to 107-104 before Ariza
nailed a 3-pointer and the Rockets held on from there.
[to top of second column] |
GAME NOTEBOOK: Harden has scored at least 30 points 22 times this
season, including both outings against Milwaukee. Harden had 34 in
the 117-103 win over the Bucks on Nov. 29. … The Rockets had 32
assists on 41 made field goals. … Milwaukee PF Ersan Ilyasova
(groin) returned after missing the last four games to score six
points in 16 minutes while Bucks C Zaza Pachulia (calf) was held out
for the fifth straight contest.
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