In a thrilling showdown in Houston, Reed Sheppard lit up the court with a career-high nine 3-pointers, leading the Rockets to a 119-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. With this win, the Rockets have climbed to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings, while the Bucks, now out of playoff contention, remain at No. 11 in the East.
Despite both teams feeling the effects of back-to-back games, Sheppard's performance was the spark the Rockets needed. The second-year guard was on fire, shooting 9-of-14 from beyond the arc and adding 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals without a single turnover. His impact was undeniable, as the Rockets were +17 with him on the floor.
“My teammates were able to find me early,” Sheppard shared postgame. “Once those first couple went in, they kept looking for me. It was fun.”
Houston's offensive rhythm has been impressive, with the team now 39-12 when scoring over 110 points. They've been averaging 119.0 points over their last nine games, a significant jump from their previous stretch.
The Rockets' ball movement was on full display with 30 assists to just 7 turnovers, leading to 18 made 3-pointers. This marks their fourth consecutive game with 30+ assists, a feat not achieved since March 1986. Their assist-to-turnover ratio in this streak is an impressive 3.20.
“We’re playing free,” Sheppard noted. “Everybody is playing with a lot of confidence right now.
We’re getting really, really good shots, and we’re sticking with what’s working. Just playing simple basketball.”
Head coach Ime Udoka highlighted the team's improved off-ball movement as a key factor in their offensive surge.
Sheppard returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against the Knicks for strategic reasons. He and teammate Tari Eason are unfazed by starting roles, focusing instead on their consistent preparation and performance.
The Rockets are thriving from deep, boasting a 13-2 record when making at least 15 3-pointers and 21-6 when shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc. Sheppard’s 211 made 3-pointers this season lead the team and rank him No. 11 in the NBA, a testament to his efficiency in just 26.4 minutes per game.
Other standout performances included Alperen Sengun with 25 points and 9 rebounds, Kevin Durant with 19 points and 9 assists, and Amen Thompson contributing 18 points and 8 rebounds. On the Bucks' side, Ousmane Dieng put up 36 points and Jericho Sims dominated the boards with 20 rebounds.
Durant's playmaking has been on the rise, averaging 8.2 assists over his last five games, showcasing his versatility and leadership.
The Rockets will look to continue their winning ways as they face the Utah Jazz next. With tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central, fans can catch the action on Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.