The Houston Rockets host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night at the Toyota Center in Houston. The game tips off at 8:00 PM ET and features two teams sitting fifth in their respective conferences. The Bucks are 32-24 and fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets are 35-22 and aiming to maintain their spot in the Western Conference standings.
The last meeting between these teams was a close one, with Milwaukee edging out Houston 101-100 on November 18, 2024. Both teams have been dealing with injuries, and Houston’s recent struggles have been linked to the absence of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has been playing well since making key additions at the trade deadline.
Houston Preview – Can the Rockets Find Stability?
Houston is in a bit of a slump, losing seven of their last 10 games. The Rockets have been hit hard by injuries, with Fred VanVleet missing nine straight games due to an ankle injury. His status for Tuesday remains a game-time decision, and his return could provide a much-needed boost to the lineup.
Without VanVleet, Houston has relied on Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun to run the offense. Sengun, in particular, has been stepping up, scoring 27 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists in their recent loss to the Utah Jazz. However, turnovers have been a problem, as Sengun committed a career-high eight turnovers against Minnesota.
The Rockets are solid at home with an 18-9 record, and they need this win to stop their slide. Defense and ball security will be key against a disciplined Milwaukee team. The Rockets are averaging 113.9 points per game, and they will need efficient shooting and better playmaking to compete.
Milwaukee Preview – Bucks Rolling with New Additions
Milwaukee is on a roll, winning four straight games. The Bucks revamped their roster at the trade deadline, bringing in Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Sims. These additions have strengthened their bench and provided more flexibility in rotations, especially with Bobby Portis Jr. serving a suspension.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the Bucks, averaging 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists in their recent win over Miami. Damian Lillard added 28 points and 8 assists in that game, showing how dangerous this team can be when its stars perform. The Bucks have also improved their defense, allowing just 109 points per game.
Coach Doc Rivers has been impressed by the Porter-Kuzma duo, highlighting their athleticism and versatility. Milwaukee’s strategy involves keeping at least one of these playmakers on the floor alongside Antetokounmpo or Lillard, ensuring consistent pressure on opponents. The Bucks will look to exploit Houston’s turnover issues and control the tempo of the game.
Betting Prediction
The game is expected to be close, with the spread likely favoring Milwaukee by a small margin. The over/under is set around 224.5 points, reflecting both teams’ balanced offensive and defensive stats. Milwaukee has covered the spread in 26 of their 55 games this season, while Houston is slightly better at 30-26-1 against the spread.
With VanVleet’s status uncertain and Houston’s recent struggles, Milwaukee has the edge. The Bucks’ depth and the strong play of their new additions make them the safer pick. The predicted score is Milwaukee 110, Houston 104, with Milwaukee covering the spread.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -3.5
