Mike D’Antoni and the Houston Rockets come off a tough 117-111 loss to the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks that saw Russell Westbrook put up 24 points and 16 rebounds. While they did blow a 16-point lead in their opener, there were many positives to take away from how the new-look Rockets played on Thursday.
With an emphasis on pace, Westbrook led the charge as Houston finished with a 27-17 advantage in fast break points and a 21-10 edge in points off turnovers. In the end, though, it was Milwaukee’s 46-34 edge in points in the paint that did in the Rockets, as Brook Lopez took over down the stretch and scored at will against a small-ball Houston lineup
The New Orleans Pelicans come off their second loss to start the season, falling to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 123-116.