VanVleet and Rockets stay perfect with rout of Bucks in Milwaukee

Houston's flawless start continues. The Rockets comfortably beat Milwaukee 132–100 at the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday 28 October to win their fifth game in as many outings. Fred VanVleet scored 24 points and Amen Thompson 23, despite the absence of Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams inside.

The visitors shared the scoring load. VanVleet made seven of his fourteen shots, including four three-pointers, and added six rebounds and five assists. Thompson found plenty of ways to score near the rim, finishing ten of sixteen from the field.

A one-sided second quarter

The game was still close after twelve minutes, with Houston leading just 23–21. The Rockets then scored the first eight points of the second quarter to spark their breakaway. They won the period 34–14 and went into the locker room twenty-two points clear, 57–35.

Milwaukee paid for poor outside shooting in that first half. Houston, for their part, kept up the pressure and picked up points at the free-throw line. The third quarter gave the Bucks no way back: the visitors won it too, 38–34.

VanVleet steps up, the bench follows

VanVleet scored fifteen straight points for the Rockets in the middle of the third quarter. His burst extended a game that was already well in hand, and Houston were then able to lean on their depth. Kevin Durant added 18 points on nine attempts and Jabari Smith Jr. 14, including three three-pointers.

Bogdan Bogdanović scored 16 points in fifteen minutes, hitting four of five from beyond the arc. Clint Capela contributed 10 points and eight rebounds. The Rockets finished shooting 54.8% from the field and converted 23 of their 26 free throws.

Tyler Herro was Milwaukee's top scorer with 23 points, ahead of Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had 19. The pair could not prevent a fourth defeat in five games. Houston are 5–0 ahead of Friday's trip to Dallas in the NBA Cup; the Bucks host Cleveland on Saturday.