NBA scores: Harden's Rockets take down Giannis' Bucks in nail-biting 120-116 showdown

Houston Rockets edged past league-leading Milwaukee Bucks 120-116 to clinch ir second straight victory at NBA bubble. Rockets came back after a poor defensive performance against Dallas Mavericks, limiting Bucks to 16-of-46 from three-point range. Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo made history for Bucks, joining Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as only players to record 15 games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a season over last five decades. 

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NBA Scores: Bucks vs Rockets highlights

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NBA scores: Harden, Westbrook win Bucks vs Rockets showdown at NBA bubble

On Sunday night (Monday morning), Russell Westbrook led Rockets to victory with 31 points to his name. This is 36th consecutive game for Westbrook with at least 20 points, while James Harden followed with 24 points. Rockets made 21 of ir 61 three-point attempts during regulation, tying number of attempts with previous NBA record. Bucks secured a 112-104 lead with three minutes remaining on clock, but Rockets scored next 9 points, including a block by Harden on Giannis, which gave m a 113-112 advant.

Giannis ackwledged ir loss in a post-game interview, admitting that y have to learn from ir mistakes and "keep moving". Westbrook's free throws and Danuel House's steal put Rockets on top with a three-point lead with 14 seconds left. Kris Middleton missed two three-point attempts, allowing Rockets to secure victory.

Bucks were without Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton who are still recovering from COVID-19. Rockets, on or hand, were without Eric Gordan (sprained left ankle). As per ESPN, this is  first time a team has lost despite scoring at least 110 points, and limiting ir opponent to shooting less than 40% (39.6%) from field, while also rebounding team by at least 25 (29). Bucks will play Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, while Rockets will face Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night (Wednesday IST). 

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Bucks vs Rockets NBA scores

• Giannis Antetokounmpo points – 36 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists
• Russell Westbrook points – 31 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists
• Kris Middleton points – 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists
• James Harden points – 24 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists 
• Brook Lopez – 23 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists
• Danuel House Jr – 16 points and 4 rebounds
• Robert Covington – 15 points and 7 rebounds
• PJ Tucker – 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists

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While Rockets beat Bucks, Celtics took down Portland Trail Blazers in a 128-124 win, Jayson Tatum scored 34 points for Celtics, while Damian Lillard led Trail Blazers with 30 points. Trail Blazers are w in tenth in Western Conference, three and two games behind Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs respectively. Grizzlies lost to Spurs 108-106, while Orlando Magic beat Sacramento Kings 132-116.

Though Mavericks lost to Phoenix Suns 117-115, y have clinched ir playoff spot, while Suns remain on 13th spot with a 28-39 win-loss record. Bucks are still leading league with a 54-13 record, followed by Los Angeles Lakers at 50-15. Eastern Conference has two playoff spots left, currently occupied by Magic and Nets respectively, with Washington Wizards at . 9. Grizzlies currently occupy . 8 seed in West with a 32-35 record. 

(Im source: Houston Rockets official Instagram – @houstonrockets)