Milwaukee Bucks visit Houston Rockets in clash of MVP contenders
Watch Milwaukee Bucks @ Houston Rockets, live on Sky Sports USA in the early hours of Thursday morning (1am)
Thursday 10 January 2019 04:30, UK
MVP chasers Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden face off as the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Houston Rockets, live on Sky Sports USA.
The Bucks (28-11) come into this match-up having won 10 of their last 12 games. It's easy to see why when looking at the numbers, with Milwaukee sitting first in both scoring and rebounding. That's a feat not accomplished by many teams in NBA history and it has to be attributed to their new style of play.
Live NBA: Milwaukee @ Houston
Coach Mike Budenholzer has asked Milwaukee's talented young stars to play at a higher tempo and it has done wonders for the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the way with 26.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, catapulting himself to the front of the regular season MVP race.
The Rockets (23-16) have an MVP contender of their own in the form of James Harden, whose scorching run of recent form has led Houston to 12 wins in their last 14 games, in spite of the absence of guards Chris Paul (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee)
Harden is averaging 40.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.9 steals across his last 13 games and his play has revived the Rockets' season, vaulting them into the upper echelons of the Western Conference.
The Rockets have enjoyed a lot of success at home to date, winning 14 of their 19 games at the Toyota Center.
Houston has dominated the series with Milwaukee over recent years, winning eight of their last 10 games against the Bucks.
Key Battle: Antetokounmpo vs Harden
Star versus star, MVP candidate versus MVP candidate, power versus finesse, explosive dunker vs master step-back jump shooter - this is a match-up that has it all.
Will the Rockets, notably their center Clint Capela, have any answer to stopping Antetokounmpo's frequent high-flying raids at the rim? Will the Bucks' perimeter defense hold up against the slick tricks of Harden or stop him from drawing fouls driving to the hoop?
The franchise star who dictates the outcome of this game will further his MVP candidacy significantly.
Last time out
Numbers game
78.5 - Antetokounmpo takes 78.5 per cent of his total shots from within three feet of the opposition's basket. That accounts for the devastating dunks and aggressive finishes at the rim that characterise his game.
It also shows an appreciation of the way coach Mike Budenholzer wants the Bucks to play. Giannis is unstoppable when he attacks the rim so why ask him to shoot inefficient mid-range jump shots? The 'Greek Freak' understands this is the way he can maximise his offensive efficiency.
One to watch (Bucks): Brook Lopez
Lopez has evolved from traditional NBA center to modern big man spacing the floor with long-distance shooting. He didn't make a three-pointer until the seventh season of his career - this year he has already made more than 100 (at a more than respectable 37.5 per cent).
That three-point prowess makes him a perfect ingredient in the Bucks' offense where space inside is key for Antetokounmpo to thrive.
One to watch (Rockets): Clint Capela
The Rockets' excellent run of form has been primarily powered by Harden but Houston's main man has received crucial support from Clint Capela, who has continued to offer solid play in the middle, averaging 17.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
The 6ft 10in center has been dominant on both ends of the floor, posting 31 points in a victory over Denver and grabbing 21 rebounds in consecutive games against Golden State and Portland
