ROCKETS VS. BUCKS
How Rockets aim to cool off red-hot Bucks in crucial clash
Feb 24, 2025, 2:17 pm
The Rockets host the Bucks Tuesday night. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets (35-22) welcome the surging Milwaukee Bucks (32-24) on Tuesday night as they look to snap the Bucks' four-game winning streak and defend their strong home record.
The Rockets have been solid at Toyota Center, boasting an 18-9 home record, but they’ll need a sharper shooting performance to keep pace with Milwaukee. Houston ranks last in the Western Conference in three-point percentage (34.3%) and will have to find offensive efficiency against a Bucks team that allows 45.2% shooting to opponents.
Milwaukee, led by Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, has struggled on the road (12-15) but remains dangerous when controlling possessions. The Bucks are 15-7 when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging just 13.1 per game.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Jalen Green vs. Milwaukee’s defense: Green leads Houston with 21.5 points per game but will need efficiency against the Bucks’ perimeter defense.
- Alperen Sengun’s recent form: Averaging 14.8 points over his last 10 games, Sengun will play a pivotal role inside against Lopez and Milwaukee’s frontcourt.
- Bucks’ offensive edge: Milwaukee averages 5.2 more points per game than Houston allows, making defensive execution critical for the Rockets.
With both teams sitting fifth in their respective conferences, this matchup could serve as a measuring stick as they push toward playoff positioning. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. EST in Houston.
*ChatGPT assisted with the content.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.