Giannis Antetokounmpo block, Damian Lillard game-winning layup gives Bucks victory over Rockets

Milwaukee picked up a pair of wins this past week as it tries to turn its season around by building momentum against a soft part of the schedule – but Houston coming to town was the big test against a good team in the middle of this stretch.

While the game was close, the Rockets led for most of the fourth quarter, but with the game on the line — Houston up one with :24 seconds left — Giannis Antetokounmpo came through first with the huge block.

Then Damian Lillard hit what turned out to be the game-winner on a driving layup.

Houston had one more chance – Alperen Sengun opened under the basket, but Fred VanVleet’s inbound pass was too high and blew up the play, ending the Rockets’ chance to extend their five-game winning streak.

The Bucks don’t get this win without a big game from Brook Lopez — 27 points and 10 rebounds — while Antetokounmpo scored 20 with 13 rebounds and Lillard had 18 points (but was 0-of-6 from 3). Houston was led by 26 from Fred VanVleet.

The Bucks have now won 3-of-4 with a soft schedule that continues for a week, they have a chance to bounce back during the race in the East.