The Milwaukee Bucks managed to edge past the Houston Rockets with a narrow 101-100 victory on Monday, a result that sparked discussion about a pivotal officiating decision in the closing moments of the game. According to the NBA's last-two minutes report, Giannis Antetokounmpo made a critical block on Alperen Şengün but subsequently caught the ball out of bounds. Despite this, officials did not penalize Antetokounmpo, allowing Damian Lillard to capitalize on the resulting possession by hitting the decisive game-winner.
The sequence unfolded quickly, leaving the Rockets players with little time to contest the non-call as they transitioned back to defense. Neither the broadcast commentary team nor the players on the floor noted the incident at the moment, which ultimately led to a memorable highlight for the Bucks, who had been seeking positive momentum after a rocky start to the season. With the win, Milwaukee improved its record to 5-9, although it's worth noting that the team has shown signs of improvement with a 3-1 mark in its last four games.
Antetokounmpo's performance was impressive, as he recorded three blocks alongside 20 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. While Lillard grappled with his shooting efficiency, finishing the game 6-of-18 from the field, he still contributed significantly with 10 assists and the pivotal shot in the game's closing moments. The Rockets, despite the disappointment of the officiating oversight, can maintain a positive outlook with a strong 10-5 record on the season and a five-game winning streak leading into Monday's clash. The emergence of Jalen Green, Şengün, and Fred VanVleet as key contributors has bolstered Houston's offensive depth, with seven players averaging double-digit scoring early in the campaign, positioning the team as a competitive force in the Western Conference playoff race.
