Stephen Jackson, Brandon Jennings lead Bucks over Rockets
HOUSTON — Stephen Jackson and Brandon Jennings each scored 20 points, Ersan Ilyasova had a career-high 19 rebounds after Andrew Bogut sprained his left ankle, and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped an 11-game losing streak in Houston with a 105-99 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night.
Bogut left in the first quarter and did not return, but Milwaukee hit a season-high 14 shots from 3-point range to win in Houston for the first time since Nov. 2, 1999, when the Rockets still played in the Compaq Center.
Kevin Martin scored 29 points, and Samuel Dalembert had 13 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Rockets, who had a seven-game winning streak snapped. Houston was 8 for 31 from 3-point range and dropped to 7-2 at home this season.
The Rockets had started fast at home during their winning streak, but missed their first six shots on Wednesday. Carlos Delfino and Jennings hit 3-pointers during Milwaukee’s opening 12-0 run.
Bogut sprained his left ankle after colliding with Kyle Lowry on a drive, and then awkwardly landing on the Rockets’ point guard’s foot. He limped to the locker room with 2:31 left in the quarter, and the Rockets finished with a 14-9 spurt to trail only 29-23.
Jackson sank a 3-pointer and hit a turnaround jumper early in the second quarter, as the Bucks rebuilt their lead. Courtney Lee’s 3-pointer from the corner then started a 13-2 Houston run, finished by Martin’s 3-pointer that put the Rockets ahead for the first time.
The Rockets led 51-42 at the break, fueled by Martin’s eight second-quarter points. Without Bogut inside, the Bucks shot 25 percent (6 for 24) and were outrebounded 20-12 in the second quarter.
Martin swished a 3-pointer 18 seconds into the second half. Houston held a double-digit lead for the 11th consecutive game, its longest streak since 2008, when they built double-digit leads in 20 consecutive games during their 22-game winning streak.
Jennings kept Milwaukee close with three 3-pointers in the third quarter. Mike Dunleavy’s first 3-pointer since Dec. 30 cut the deficit to one, and Beno Udrih’s midrange shot put the Bucks ahead 72-70 heading to the fourth.
Milwaukee stretched the margin to 10, mostly with free throws, and Houston coach Kevin McHale called timeout. Larry Sanders blocked Lowry on a drive, and Dunleavy and Jackson hit 3s as the Bucks stretched the lead to 17.
The Rockets then mounted a charge, started by another 3-pointer by Martin. Lowry sank a 3-pointer and Goran Dragic scored on a drive to pull Houston within four, at 98-94, with a minute left.
Drew Gooden swished two free throws with 33 seconds remaining, though, and Milwaukee hung on for its third straight road win.
NOTES: The Bucks were the only team in the league without a victory in the Toyota Center. ... Bogut made his 400th career start. He had a blocked shot before leaving, and now has a block in 10 consecutive games. ... Lowry had 10 assists. He has at least eight assists in 12 games this season, and the Rockets are 8-4 in those games. ... Houston had a 52-43 edge in rebounds.