Houston Rockets Game 45 of 2015-16 Season vs Bucks

Houston Rockets Game 45 of 2015-16  saw the squad tipping off versus  the Milwaukee Bucks.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 81 of 2015-16 versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jan 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates making a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeat the Bucks 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 45 – Bucks

Pregame Analysis:

Anthony Nguyen provided a great game day analysis highlighting the shifting sides of the 2 squads.

What a brutal four game stretch it has been for the Houston Rockets going 1-3 with losses coming to the Detroit Pistons, a Blake Griffin-less Clippers team and the Cavaliers playing on the second leg of a back to back. The one win came against the clown show Lakers which shouldn’t even count towards the win column because of how much of an atrocity Los Angeles has been. To make things worst, Houston gave up 140 points to the Clippers only to fly back home a day later and surrender another 123 points to a Pistons team that ranks in the bottom half of Offensive Efficiency scoring 102 points per 100 possessions (per ESPN.com).  Defense? Never heard of it.

On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks have bullied their way to a three game winning streak stealing lunch money and giving swirlies to Eastern Conference contenders such as the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat. Unlike Houston, the Bucks have found success behind a suffocating defense holding Charlotte to 92 points and Miami to 79.

Houston enters this contest off one day of rest and will be up against a Milwaukee team coming off two with this being their third of a four game road trip. Both ball clubs seem to be heading in completely opposite directions. Can Houston bounce back from two gut wrenching performances?

Post Game Analysis:

Coty Davis offered the post game analysis and player grades of the 2 teams who were both mired in a sub par season.

After an embarrassing loss where the Houston Rockets got dismantled by the Pistons, the home team ended their two game losing skid Friday with a defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks. A mid-ankle sprain kept Dwight Howard out of his second straight game. Which forced J.B. Bickerstaff to make some questionable changes to the roster.

The most intriguing news of the night was the return of Josh Smith eight months after his exit.  Just hours after the Rockets reacquired him in a surprise trade with the Los Angeles Clippers he made his return to the Toyota Center hardwood. Overall, great game for the Rockets, and hopefully this momentum will carry over to Sunday’s game versus the Dallas Mavericks.

Stat Leaders:

James Harden posted 30 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals while Greg Monroe provided 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists.

NBA.com provides full box score which can be viewed via this link.

Rockets Games vs Bucks in 2016-17

• January 18th at home
• January 23rd in Milwaukee at BMO Harris Bradley Center

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Apparently length is the number one trait the scouts in Milwaukee seek as they continue to add more lanky players with long wing spans to the mix.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Thon Maker (10) 


Round 2: Malcolm Brogdon (36)

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

• Mirza Teletovic 3-years, $30M exits Suns
• Matthew Dellavedova 4-year, $38.5M Bucks offer (Cavs chose not to match)
• Jason Terry signs 1-year veteran minimum deal exits Rockets

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• Jerryd Bayless 3-years, $27M to 76ers
• Greivis Vasquez 1-year deal (no financials disclosed yet) to Nets
• Chris Copeland signs training camp contract with Spurs
• Jared Cunningham will play overseas

Unresolved:

• Steve Novak

More Free Agent News

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus.  Specifically, the first area  is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will  make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application