Jalen Green scores 30 points, Rockets beat Bucks 97-92

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HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green had 30 points and seven rebounds, Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 points and seven assists and the Houston Rockets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 97-92 on Sunday night to extend their home-winning streak to four games.

Houston was coached by assistant coach John Lucas with head coach Stephen Silas away from the team following the death of father and long-time NBA player and coach Paul Silas.

Kenyon Martin Jr. had 10 points and five rebounds for the Rockets. Houston shot 44% and was 6 of 27 on 3-pointers. The Rockets made 11 of 12 free throws, going 5 of 6 in the final minute to put the game away.


Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, drives around Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Jrue Holiday had 25 points and eight assists for Milwaukee, Bobby Portis added 17 points and 15 rebounds and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points and 18 rebounds. The Bucks had won four in a row.

Antetokounmpo scored his 15,000th point in the second quarter.

The Bucks shot 37% and were 12 of 43 on 3-pointers. Milwaukee committed 16 turnovers.

Green made two free throws with 34 seconds remaining to give Houston a two-point lead. Following a Milwaukee timeout, Grayson Allen turned it over on a lob pass to Antetokounmpo, and Antetokounmpo fouled Green, who made one of two free throws with 27 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo missed a layup and fouled Jabari Smith Jr. on the rebound. Smith made two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to give Houston a 97-92 lead. Portis missed a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left, and Martin got the rebound to ice it.

TIP-INS

Bucks: F Khris Middleton left arly in the second quarter with a left ankle sprain and did not return. He was scoreless in six minutes. … Allen scored 11 points.

Rockets: Houston recalled G Josh Christopher, Trevor Hudgins and Darius Day from their NBA G League affiliate Rio Grande Valley. … Smith took Houston’s first free throws with 7:59 remaining in the third.

REMEMBERING PAUL SILAS

The Rockets held a moment of silence before the game in honor of Paul Silas.

“From the team, the coaching staff, all the basketball personnel, all our prayers and thoughts are with Coach and his family right now,” Lucas said to begin his pregame availability. “Paul Silas did a lot for basketball.”

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host Golden State on Tuesday night.

Rockets: Host Phoenix on Tuesday night.

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