Doc Rivers known as out his crew’s execution after the Milwaukee Bucks dropped a 122-115 dwelling loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday at Fiserv Discussion board. “It was a sport that I believed was very winnable for us,” Rivers mentioned, highlighting frustration with offensive stoppages and defensive lapses.
Kevin Durant led Houston with 31 factors and 7 assists, together with a clutch pull-up jumper within the last moments to safe the win. Rivers famous Durant’s effectiveness and admitted the Bucks struggled to comprise him late. “I believed we had been very common in our coverages on Durant. He’s good, so he doesn’t want a lot assist,” Rivers mentioned.
Milwaukee shot 55.7% general and made 13 of 29 from three, however Rivers pointed to turnovers and free-throw struggles as key elements. “Within the second half, we turned it over and so they stored getting offensive rebounds. That made it a tricky sport to win,” he defined. The Bucks completed 14 of 24 on the line, with Giannis Antetokounmpo lacking essential free throws within the last 89 seconds.
Rivers additionally criticized the crew’s lack of ball motion within the second half. “We didn’t execute something. The ball stayed on one aspect, and all people tried to make a play,” he mentioned, noting the distinction with 20 assists on 24 first-half buckets versus simply 5 assists after halftime.
Regardless of 37 factors and eight rebounds from Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee was unable to regain momentum towards a balanced Rockets lineup. Alperen Sengun added 23 factors, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, whereas Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard every scored 16 to enrich Durant’s efficiency. Amen Thompson chipped in 14 factors, eight rebounds, and 5 assists.
Rivers described the loss as self-inflicted and emphasised accountability. “This can be a self-inflicted loss by us, and we’ve got to personal that. All of us, coaches, gamers, all people,” he mentioned. Key moments, like a late Durant cost name that led to a three-point play, compounded the Bucks’ struggles.
Houston improved to 6-3 after outscoring Milwaukee 22-7 over the ultimate 4:33, whereas Milwaukee fell to 6-4 and faces a highway matchup at Dallas on Monday.
Rivers mentioned the crew should deal with execution and fundamentals transferring ahead. “I believe whoever mentioned it, you realize, 5 assists within the second half, 20 within the first, I don’t suppose far more must be mentioned,” he mentioned.
