Damian Lillard’s Decisive Score Lifts Bucks Over Rockets

Damian Lillard (left) made six of his seven free throws. Damian Lillard scored with 3.9 seconds remaining, enabling the Milwaukee Bucks to complete a dramatic late comeback and defeat the Houston Rockets 101-100 in the NBA. The Rockets held a 100-94 lead with 1 minute and 59 seconds remaining before Lillard converted two free throws, assisted AJ Green on a three-point shot, and executed a driving lay-up. Lillard concluded the game with 18 points and 10 assists at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, while Brook Lopez contributed 27 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 20. “Normally when something is wrong with me I feel like I can will myself through it, but this was probably one of the first times in my life and definitely in my NBA career where I was like ‘something is off’,” Lillard stated, having returned from a three-game absence due to concussion. “It was a little frustrating. I just didn’t like not being with the team.” The loss concluded a five-game winning streak for the Rockets, who had trailed by 14 points at one point in the game. For the Rockets, Fred VanVleet registered 26 points and Jalen Green contributed 21. The Bucks currently rank fourth from the bottom in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Rockets hold the fourth position in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers fended off a rally from the in-form Golden States Warriors to secure a 102-99 victory at Intuit Dome. Norman Powell tallied 23 points for the Clippers, including five successful three-point shots, while Stephen Curry paced the Warriors with 26 points. “I’m proud of the team. They made a big run like they always do, and we were able to keep our composure and come away with the win,” stated Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. The Clippers currently stand ninth in the Western Conference, and the Warriors are positioned second. NBA Results