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00:00You should look to dominate the glass here tonight, and turnovers have been the biggest change for the Houston Rockets
00:05in their recent play.
00:06In the three-game win streak, they have averaged 9.3 turnovers a game, and in those two losses, they
00:11had averaged 19.
00:12That is unbelievable, Craig, and you see how much of a difference it is.
00:16And they're going to re-jump it at midcourt.
00:20Two different guys.
00:21Now, you got Jericho Sims.
00:24Why is Gary Church jumping?
00:26Well, no, there was a jump ball.
00:28I don't think they're for sure who went to the last touch spot, but it's two new guys in the
00:31circle.
00:32Rockets have it.
00:32Game is officially underway.
00:34A back-to-back for both.
00:36First shot of the game is for Shingun.
00:37He ends up getting fouled.
00:39We'll go to the free throw line.
00:39The reason why this is a back-to-back for the Bucs, who, as I mentioned, did snap a four
00:44-game losing streak last night with a 1.23.99 win over Dallas in Milwaukee,
00:49is because that was a make-up game for a late January postponement due to a snowstorm.
00:56And there's Doc Rivers, the Hall of Famer.
00:58Doc Rivers, he'll be a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2026.
01:04Hey, I was a piece of that.
01:05I played for Doc in L.A. and over in Boston and extremely happy for him.
01:11Got to talk to him before the game.
01:12He said that you do a fine job on the broadcast.
01:15There's no way he told you that.
01:16He did.
01:16He said he listens.
01:17He said, you guys do a great job on the broadcast.
01:20I invite you guys, you know, you qualify.
01:22So we add him to the Rick Carlisle list, right?
01:25Rick is like an old-school Craig Ackerman radio fan.
01:29Like, he's in the trenches with you, okay?
01:32This isn't an April Fool's joke or anything like that, is it?
01:35Okay.
01:36A.J. Green can really shoot it.
01:38Rebound picked up by the Colise.
01:40Is that why every time I say something to you, you're like second-guessing it?
01:43It is April the 1st, and Shin Goon is claiming he was held.
01:47That's why he couldn't catch the pass.
01:49They're not going to challenge that this early in the game.
01:53It's 2-0 Houston.
01:54Yeah, Doc Rivers, 27th season.
01:57As a head coach, now sixth on the all-time wins list.
02:00He's passed Bill Jackson and George Carlisle.
02:02Next is Pat Riley as the man Thompson took a shot.
02:06And the Rockets will get the ball back.
02:08Second foul on Sims.
02:10And that's tough.
02:11If you're playing with eight players, and Sims is a ridiculous athlete,
02:16but still trying to find his way.
02:19The Rockets playing some zone.
02:20Here's Kevin Durant.
02:22Yeah, that zone just left the middle wide open.
02:26What a greatest hit rate shooter to ever play the game.
02:29Just got the ball in touch.
02:30Durant was fantastic last night.
02:33He and Tari Eason were the catalyst for that terrific start.
02:37Good defense by Shin Goon.
02:40Craig, to start the year, one of the things that Kevin just got to shoot that basketball.
02:46I know he wants to get rid of the ball.
02:47And, again, that's a new NBA defense they do.
02:50And there's the corner three.
02:51They just jump in the lane and force wing threes or shots, which are tougher.
02:55And see Coach Udoka there.
02:58But, oh, wow.
03:01Javari passes up the three.
03:02Hands it to Thompson.
03:05One of the biggest challenges I spoke about that Houston would have is learning how to use Kevin Durant.
03:10And don't let me speak too soon, but that Knicks game looked like you kind of saw Kevin being used
03:16right,
03:17moving off the basketball, him setting screens, screens being set for him.
03:20It was a fun watch.
03:22Well, the man and body and ball movement last night was terrific.
03:24As they said, Green can shoot the rock.
03:28Yeah, that's who you don't want to leave open.
03:31He's shooting 41% from three this year.
03:34And that's a tad bit under his career average.
03:37That's how good of a three-point shooter he is.
03:4041.5 for his career.
03:42Kevin Durant, a great shooter.
03:43That one dances off to Pete Nance.
03:46Back to Green.
03:48Jumps it back to Trent.
03:51Shoots over Durant.
03:53Misses.
03:53Durant's defense this year has been awesome.
03:56And he gets held by Trent.
03:58That was the call that Shigun wanted earlier.
04:01Now, Craig, am I crazy to say that Kevin Durant should be on it all?
04:06NBA first team.
04:07MVP watching.
04:08Look, this pull here for the Academy Sports and out there at Super Bowl replay.
04:11You miss it a little bit, but Trent got him an all-defensive team for what he's done.
04:17If you look at the numbers, it's insane.
04:19Here's what I'll say.
04:20I think Kevin Durant more likely inside to Smith for an easy dunk.
04:24The pass to Reed Shepard.
04:25I think more than likely second-team All-NBA is probably more the situation for him.
04:33Sims is a high-riser, but got blocked by the rim.
04:36Second-team All-NBA?
04:38I mean, who are you putting over him?
04:40Well, you've got to give me a moment here.
04:42Shane, Jokic, Jokic, Luka.
04:47There's not many playing better than Durant.
04:49Durant's got to be in that five, Craig.
04:51Maybe all-defensive second team if you want to do that.
04:54Sims with the rebound.
04:56Pass goes behind the intended target.
04:59Chang, the former OKC Thunder.
05:02He'll shoot over Reed.
05:04No good.
05:05There's Sims, and he gets fouled this time.
05:09Jalen Brown.
05:10I mean, this is Jalen Brown.
05:12There's a strong case.
05:13You could put Kawhi Leonard first-team All-NBA.
05:16A very, very strong case.
05:17If you look at Kevin on both sides of the ball, it's 50-40-90.
05:20I think it's floor second-team All-NBA, or at least that's what I think it should be.
05:27But we'll see how it all transpires.
05:29Hook shot Nance, kind of like his old man.
05:33Yeah, he's got an older brother, too.
05:36Son of the former All-Star Larry Nance, brother of Larry Nance Jr.
05:40Kevin Durant with the middie.
05:42Larry Nance Sr.
05:44Good hoop.
05:45Oh, he could fly.
05:46Oh, gosh, could he ever?
05:51That gets poked away by Thompson.
05:53The outlet back to him.
05:55Tempted to Durant.
05:56Nice touch.
05:57That's fun basketball.
05:59Those are the plays a mid-thompson can make when you get out of transition.
06:02You're out having fun.
06:04That's a half a dozen for Durant.
06:06Again, the Rockets moving without the ball.
06:10The force turnover.
06:12The assist for Reed.
06:14The tap, like, 20%.
06:15So, great sign.
06:16When he and or Jabari plays well, this Rockets team is tough to beat.
06:22He's one of the major reasons, as you just stated.
06:25And for me, I see those points can care less about him.
06:28It's his activity.
06:29And in that part, he's looking like himself.
06:32And now the points are coming.
06:33Nance for three.
06:34We also, by the way, we were remiss if we did not mention.
06:38We left a pretty big name off that list, Wemby.
06:41Big name, big player.
06:43He'll probably finish top three.
06:44But that's still a lot of four guys.
06:44Top four in MVP voting.
06:47Giannis is probably there.
06:48Giannis has been injured.
06:49Yep.
06:50Here's Reed Shepard's D3.
06:51And Reed knocks it down again.
06:5420 points last night off the bench.
06:56Four of seven from downtown.
06:59On the move, Jang is able to finish.
07:04Jokic, Shea, Luka, Wemby.
07:08Boom.
07:09Kevin.
07:13Another one for Reed.
07:15Another make for Reed Shepard.
07:17And again, that's how you break the zone.
07:19That's how you extend defense.
07:21You knock down shots.
07:22And you love that there's the carryover from the last game.
07:26Jang again underneath.
07:28Wraparound deflected.
07:29Picked up by Shingun.
07:34Now to Durant.
07:39Sims defending.
07:43Shingun's been hot from three.
07:44Now catches it just inside the yard.
07:46Picks up his dribble.
07:47Did he pick it up too soon, Ryan?
07:49And now the Rockets home.
07:50He finds a cutting Durant who got the shot up
07:53but did not go down.
07:54I thought Shingun picked up that dribble too soon.
07:56Absolutely.
07:57And the defense stopped looking at him.
07:59Sims.
07:59Shingun was there to take the charge.
08:01And he forced Sims to try to go around him.
08:03And he left it short.
08:11Spinning into the lane.
08:12Scoring in the lane.
08:13Is Alphard and Shingun.
08:15I love how, as Alphie's gotten older,
08:18a lot of his game in some ways has gotten even more simple.
08:20I'm going strong left.
08:22You cut me off.
08:22I'm spinning off.
08:23And oh, near.
08:25Showtime.
08:25Yep.
08:28Rockets have scored eight straight.
08:30Look at Reed Shepard here on this Verizon orbit cam.
08:32And look how deep he takes his shot from.
08:35Forgive my.
08:36Tell the Trishan gets to the middle of the floor.
08:39Watch his ball move.
08:40But look, he hangs around that far away from the rim.
08:44That is fun to see.
08:46And he's got that type of way downtown range.
08:48And, you know, he extends.
08:49If you're guarding him, you've got to get steps outside of the three-point line to match up.
08:53Clint Capella and Tari Eason was back at the starting lineup last night.
08:57Again, he was awesome.
08:58Oh, they're going to call a foul on that one.
09:00Reed thought he was off to the races.
09:03It's going to be on Clint Capella.
09:05But, yeah, last night, Tari Eason, what, ten straight points for him in the first quarter
09:10after Kevin Durant went on a big run like that.
09:13Finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, a couple of steals, and a block.
09:17Made three more threes.
09:18And it looks like Tari Eason is back.
09:21Offensive rebound Sims to Trent over Smith, the quarter-three no,
09:24and the rebound to Kevin Durant.
09:26The Rockets now with six assists on their seven makes in this game.
09:29We mentioned this in the open.
09:30Thirty-four more assists for the Rockets in each of their last three games,
09:34including a season-best 35 last night.
09:41Milwaukee just four of 13 to start.
09:45Again, they're missing a lot of dudes.
09:47Here we got eight guys dressed.
09:49Here's Jeng.
09:50Shoots over Shepard for the free throw line.
09:52You'll take it.
09:53He turned him back on the drive.
09:56Yeah, but those second efforts have to be made almost too easy.
09:59You got to make sure you get a good contest on all shots.
10:02That ends the Rockets' run.
10:05Eason circling underneath.
10:06Back out to Reed.
10:08Catches, square, shoots, misses this time.
10:10And another great athlete, Andre Jackson-Juter with a rebound,
10:13but then the Bucs throw it back out of bounds.
10:17That's already their fourth turnover.
10:19Again, this is a skeleton crew the Bucs are rolling with here tonight.
10:23Just eight guys.
10:24Yeah, I've been there before.
10:26I joked with Dave Yeager.
10:28He asked me before the game,
10:29when I played with him in Memphis,
10:32and the one thing you see Giannis after the couple there along with Turner,
10:36we beat Cleveland after they won the championship.
10:39Oh, no.
10:39Oh, yep.
10:40Trent took it away.
10:41Lost it.
10:42Clint dives on the floor, but tapped it to Jeng.
10:45Now to Jackson.
10:46Here's a three.
10:48It dances off.
10:49That was Cormac Ryan.
10:52And we do have a hurt Buc.
10:54Remember, they have a very limited roster.
10:56Oh, Trent's still down.
10:56Here's Tori Eason.
10:57He makes it from the corner.
10:58The Bucs need a timeout.
11:00And Trent is still down.
11:03He is holding his...
11:05It's like a rib, like Clint dove on him.
11:07Or an elbow.
11:09He's been writhing in pain now ever since that sequence
11:13after he came up with the steal
11:15and then lost to try to get it back.
11:17And then that scrum with Capella, he is down again.
11:19The Bucs are extremely shorthanded with a capital E.
11:24Hopefully Trent is all right.
11:31Look, it's not like we were always best friends,
11:33but we were competitive.
11:34We had each other's backs.
11:35We were not Girl Scouts.
11:37And Van Chancellor never tried to act like a Girl Scout leader.
11:40He was a player's coach.
11:41He let us be ourselves.
11:43And it was such a gift.
11:44Those three women are extremely close.
11:46They still love Van.
11:47And they're so excited to have the team back.
11:49You'll see the interviews on Rockets' channel soon.
11:51All right, looking forward to it.
11:52We love them.
11:53A discontinued dribble and another turnover for the Bucs there.
11:56Fifth, I was there.
11:57I was there for the first four titles.
11:59The atmosphere in the old Summit slash Compact Center
12:02was as an electric of an atmosphere, sporting-wise,
12:05that I've ever been around in my broadcasting career.
12:09Those days were fun.
12:10Being around those players in Van Chancellor were fun.
12:13And welcome back to the Eastern Conference.
12:15Can't wait for 20-27.
12:17Shepard, the skip, the reset, the shot.
12:21Jabari missed it long.
12:23Tari Issa taps the rebound track down by Capella to Durant.
12:27Durant gets walled off.
12:29Triple T now to Tari.
12:30His corner three is long.
12:32And the rebound to the Bucs.
12:35Alex Adenokumbo has come in.
12:39Good challenge by Capella on that Jeng drive.
12:42He is the fourth Adenokumbo to play in the NBA.
12:46Made his debut last night.
12:48And that gets swatted away by Nance.
12:50Rockets still have it, though.
12:53So you've had Giannis, Fanasis, Kostas, and Alex.
13:00Officially, is this an NBA record now?
13:02Yeah.
13:04So he made his NBA debut last night.
13:12And his two brothers were technically active last night.
13:17So it was the first time a sibling trio has been active on the same NBA roster in NBA history.
13:26And also, since he was the fourth brother to reach the NBA in his appearance, the first family to ever
13:32have four brothers play in the NBA.
13:36Jackson picked up the foul Durant at the free throw line.
13:38Now, Houston Rockets' Forever Red memberships are on sale today.
13:41As a Forever Red member, you'll get priority access to the biggest games, exclusive team events, and member-only perks
13:48all season.
13:48Here at Toyota Center takes all of us all season long, so don't miss a moment.
13:52Be there for every moment as the Rockets continue their rise.
13:55Visit Rockets.com to learn more and secure your seats.
13:59Is this the only area that's kind of preventing Kevin Durant from really legitimately getting the 50-40 under this
14:05year at the foul line?
14:06He's just under it.
14:07Yeah, I mean, he can kind of fix that in the game or two.
14:11I don't think you're worried there, but he has missed some free throws.
14:15Yeah, 88% for him at the line.
14:1639.1 from three coming in.
14:19A rare offensive rebound for the box who don't grab many offensive rebounds, but their head coach is Doc Rivers.
14:26And any team he's ever coached in the NBA, they don't crash the offensive glass.
14:29That's just a philosophical thing with him.
14:32They'd rather put more emphasis on transition defense than crashing the offensive glass.
14:38Again, all of his teams have never been amongst the league leaders, even close in terms of offensive rebounding.
14:43As Tariisa picks up the foul.
14:44Rockets are up by 10.
14:47Jang into the paint.
14:49And that is short.
14:51I mean, Doc compliments you before the game, and you're attacking him and rebounding.
14:55No, I'm not attacking him.
14:56I said it's a philosophical thing.
14:58Am I wrong?
14:59Oh, did Capella tap that, or did he void it?
15:02And it just went down anyway.
15:03No, no.
15:04Tap the ball in, Craig.
15:06He does a great job on the glass and always hanging around the rim.
15:11Here's Jackson on balance.
15:13Rockets doubling up the bucks here.
15:16No.
15:16Look at historically.
15:18All of Doc Rivers' teams that he's been a head coach on, they generally sort of emphasize transition defense over
15:25offensive rebounding.
15:26Here's Holiday.
15:27And he buries the three.
15:29Three.
15:31Three.
15:31Three.
15:32I mean, I don't know when I played for Doc if there is anything exaggerated.
15:36I mean, I guess your numbers don't lie.
15:39I don't know, Craig.
15:40Next break, I'll look it up as Jang scores it.
15:45Jang has six.
15:46He's their leading scorer.
15:49Aaron Holiday now part of the rotation again, and since he's become part of the rotation again, he has been
15:55really good in that role.
15:58Thompson behind the back, trying to find a seam step and three, found one, but he missed the layup.
16:02Offensive rebound to Capella.
16:04A reset to Thompson.
16:05Back to Holiday.
16:06In the corner.
16:08Misses.
16:09And I think the Bucs just lost it.
16:11Stays here.
16:12I think the Bucs just lost it.
16:13Yep.
16:14Houston Bowl.
16:15Well, since Aaron had played and you see Al-Pete checking back in, Houston's really done a good job stretching
16:22the floor.
16:22You know, and now that three-point shooting has been essentially contagious.
16:26Good to see Tar hitting shots, and the spacing has been much better.
16:30That's what Coach Udoka speaks about, just that spacing being there, being ready to shoot, and attacking those double teams
16:36when they come.
16:38Jang out, Sims in, 14 on the possession here for the Rockets, 148 to play in the quarter.
16:43What new out-of-bounds play right there?
16:45Hadn't seen that in a while.
16:46A little pin down.
16:47Give me a – what year did you play for Doc?
16:49Give me a year.
16:50Just one year.
16:51I can't – I'm not good with years, correct?
16:54Kevin Durant, two on him over the holiday from the wing to three.
16:58I'm sure somebody can help with that.
17:01All right, I'll just look it up myself.
17:03No, you're watching the game and calling the game.
17:06Yeah, I can multitask.
17:08Offensive rebound, Sims!
17:10As he got Durant off him, Durant says he was pushed, and he dunked it down.
17:17Rockets by 11.
17:19And it was Boston first, and then L.A. after.
17:23Probably 13, 14.
17:25Which year – how many years were you at the Clippers?
17:28Two years.
17:29It was the second year Doc came.
17:30So was it 14, 15 or 13, 14?
17:33Durant misses.
17:34You're making me think too much.
17:35All right, we'll work on this during the quarter break.
17:40Green to Nance, on the block to Sims.
17:49Oh, getting to the rim is Cormac, Ryan, who they just recently signed at 6th Street, 4th Milwaukee.
17:57Went to Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC.
18:00Working on a two-way.
18:03Again, the Bucs have done a better job of extending their defense out a little further,
18:08and Houston getting slightly lackadaisical.
18:11Ryan, you're cutting Nance.
18:12He came down the baseline and dropped it in in a very event-Thompson-like play.
18:17Getting very lackadaisical, the last three possessions here for Houston.
18:20And that's now eight straight for the Bucs, and the Rockets' lead, which was 15, is now only 7.
18:26We saw this in Milwaukee with that group.
18:28You know these guys are going to play hard.
18:30They got something to prove.
18:32Ryan Thompson to Kevin Durant.
18:34Working on Sims.
18:35Shot clock is winding down.
18:36Draws a double.
18:37Now goes to Tari.
18:38Has to.
18:39Missed the three.
18:41And that'll end the first quarter.
18:43So the Rockets got up to a fantasy.
18:50And by Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedics.
18:53Preferred orthopedic and sports medicine provider for the Houston Rockets.
18:58Welcome back.
18:59Quick injury update.
19:00Gary Trent Jr. will not return with a hip contusion.
19:03I also have a random update on Craig and Ryan's latest disagreement.
19:07Okay.
19:08Doc Rivers coached the Celtics from 2004 to 2015.
19:13Clippers from 2013 to 2020.
19:15So, Ryan, you played for the Celtics in 2012.
19:18And the Clippers from 2012 to 2014.
19:20So, your complete season under Doc Rivers would have been, with the Clippers, the 2013-2014 season.
19:27Craig Ackerman.
19:27And that season, the Clippers finished 20th in offensive rebounding percentage.
19:32Oh, my goodness.
19:33This year, they're 30th in offensive rebounding percentage.
19:36Last year, the Bucs were 30th in offensive rebounding percentage.
19:41And Sims got blocked by the rim, but ultimately got fouled, and he would go to the free throw line.
19:45And I can continue to research.
19:46Do you feel like you proved your point, Craig?
19:48Yes, actually, I think I did.
19:50And, again, I appreciate Doc being a fan of the show.
19:54Thank you very much.
19:54But I'm just saying that his teams, when he's been the head coach, as I've seen it,
19:59they prioritize transition defense more than crashing the offensive glass.
20:03The Rockets, by the way, think they can do both.
20:06Ryan, your response?
20:08I mean, I think we just did it as standard other teams.
20:13But, I mean, Craig is quite adamant, and Doc is disagreeing with the call,
20:18and he's probably disagreeing with Craig Ackerman after the show.
20:22I don't know.
20:23You might be left out of his Hall of Fame speech now, Craig.
20:27You know what?
20:28If that's the price for the truth, so be it.
20:30Second foul, by the way, on Shen Goon.
20:32And Shen Goon grabs the rebound there.
20:34I'm just saying, some coaches feel it's more important to get back
20:38than it is to send bodies to the offensive glass.
20:40The Rockets think the complete opposite.
20:42That's a core part of the Rockets' strategy, obviously,
20:45which is crashing the offensive glass.
20:47They're the best offensive rebounding team in the league.
20:50They've dropped off from their historical rate this season,
20:53but that's what the Rockets want to do.
20:54They want to send bodies to the offensive glass
20:57because they feel it's that important to their identity,
21:00which obviously has been over the last couple of years.
21:06They definitely want to match the energy in this ball game
21:10because it's only a six-point game.
21:13Don't leave Green.
21:14Don't give him any space to shoot the ball.
21:16No.
21:17Green shoots a true jump shot.
21:19A lot of shooters shoot a set shot.
21:22I was about to say, got pushed.
21:23He'll go to the free throw line here.
21:25Yeah, for Milwaukee, they want to make this game
21:27as ugly as possible and disrupt the rhythm of Houston.
21:32And it's tough when you have a lot of guys
21:35that you may not be familiar with playing against
21:37to figure them out on the fly.
21:39Rockets have only made two of their last 15 shots, by the way.
21:43Man Thompson at the free throw line for a pair
21:45as Green picked up the foul.
21:47Makes that and now a word from Recarim Injury Lawyers.
21:51Injured?
21:52Call 281-222-2222.
21:59So as Vanessa mentioned, Trent now out for the rest of the game
22:03and an extremely short-handed Bucs roster has just gotten shorter.
22:08I remember the Rockets back in 2018, I believe,
22:11played a game like that in Phoenix
22:13where they only had like seven guys dressed.
22:15I think that was the game that Ryan Anderson dumped on Alex Lent.
22:18And the Rockets actually,
22:19I think they ended up blowing out the Suns that night.
22:23So it's possible you could play extremely short-handed
22:25and still be successful.
22:27Jang over Smith and the rebound to Thompson.
22:30And for Houston, what you don't want to give up
22:32is the layups and the hustle play.
22:35Good find, the extra pass.
22:37Jayshon Tate out there.
22:38Again, he's now become part of the rotation.
22:43Looking for Shen Goon.
22:45Slips by Jackson, goes inside.
22:48Not much space for Tate.
22:50Back to Jabari.
22:50Lines up to three.
22:51Misses.
22:52And again, the Rockets just can't throw it into the ocean now
22:55after an 8-14 start, two for their last 16.
22:58And credit with Milwaukee.
23:00They've done a good job scrambling out of these double teams
23:03and their help.
23:04And they're extending their defense
23:05and guarding the three-point line better.
23:06Now, Milwaukee's only 9-26 on the floor themselves.
23:10But they're actually shooting the ball better now than Houston is.
23:13There's a miss.
23:14There's the rebound.
23:15There's the shot off the glass.
23:16And it's good for Jang.
23:18He's got eight.
23:19He's been aggressive and looking to get his shot up.
23:22And Milwaukee's creeped to within six.
23:26All right, back to Zaru.
23:33It's been like almost six minutes since the Rockets have hit a shot.
23:36And they've missed a lot of threes during this now two for 17 cold stretch.
23:42Their last made field goal was at the 240 mark of the first quarter.
23:46And I know Houston has been playing better lately, but there have been some very...
23:51Oh, boy.
23:52Jackson from the corner.
23:53And it's now only a three-point game.
23:55The Rockets need a timeout.
23:56There have been some very tough losses, Craig.
23:58So, yes, there has.
24:00Cannot be complacent no matter what's on the other side.
24:02No, they cannot.
24:04So, the Bucs have found the rhythm.
24:07The Rockets have lost theirs.
24:09The 15-point lead is only three.
24:11Here, we had injuries.
24:12He played a lot.
24:13We filled those roles so he doesn't play as much.
24:16But he continues to do what he does.
24:18He's vocal.
24:19He puts his arm around guys.
24:20He shares experiences.
24:21And Eme said, look, we got a lot of bad cops, myself included.
24:24Sometimes you need some loving going on.
24:26He's one of the good cops and the ultimate glue guy.
24:29I don't have a vote, but if I did...
24:31Perfect timing.
24:31He's my vote, yeah.
24:32Nice to see him.
24:34His smiling face in your shot.
24:37He loves to throw me off.
24:38Oh, Bull Bank and the Rockets finally take the lid off that rim.
24:41But he is a great teammate.
24:44He is.
24:45And, look, again, I played with Jeff in two locations.
24:48And he's just a breath of fresh air every day.
24:52He's consistent.
24:53He's the same exact guy in the locker room that you see smiling.
24:56On the sidelines and in the game.
24:5914-4 is the run for Milwaukee.
25:01Jackson's spinning.
25:02And there is Shin Good with the help.
25:04The deflection went back off of Jackson Rockets basketball.
25:08This is one of those games where you don't want to turn it over.
25:10Look at this little fake there.
25:11And Amin Thompson throwing the ball down on the rim.
25:14And that's just absolute nasty.
25:17It stops the basketball.
25:18I want to say, Ryan, I don't know if we necessarily have disagreements.
25:21I think we debate.
25:22So, I just want to make you feel like you're back at your old home.
25:25Hey!
25:26What?
25:26What's my old home, Frank?
25:29Vanessa, can you?
25:29What's my old home?
25:30What is he talking about?
25:31What is he talking about?
25:32What is he talking about?
25:33What is he talking about?
25:34Hey, they called him Hot Take Collins.
25:35They did.
25:36100%.
25:36Reed Shepard.
25:37Stop.
25:37Pop.
25:38Three.
25:38It drops.
25:39His third.
25:40He's got nine.
25:41All on threes.
25:42And that's how you open things up.
25:44But when you defend, you're able to get out and run.
25:49Rockets have been defeated.
25:51Oh, wow.
25:52A Statue of Liberty slam for Jay.
25:56And then Thompson races the other way for a dunk of his own.
25:59You love that no matter who's on the floor, who's on the other side.
26:03Amin Thompson, his effort doesn't change, okay?
26:08Thompson's got a half a dozen now.
26:11Shingun with the rebound.
26:14Dang has come out to fire up some shots.
26:17He's got ten.
26:18Well, somebody has to for Milwaukee.
26:19Here's Jabari.
26:21Round and out.
26:22So he's one for seven.
26:24So a slow start for him.
26:250-4 now from the three-point line.
26:29Sims.
26:30And he stepped back.
26:33Stepped out of bounds.
26:34Turns the ball over.
26:35Another one for Milwaukee.
26:36Their ninth first half turnover.
26:39And again, watch Dang turn the corner.
26:41Beats Al-P to the rim.
26:42And look at that.
26:43That's fun.
26:44See that Verizon or the candy kicking ahead.
26:46And Amin Thompson just sprinting past the entire Milwaukee Bucks team.
26:51Three apples for Reed Shepard as well in this first half.
26:53Thompson getting to breathe him.
26:57Milwaukee in the zone.
26:58Now you don't have Al-P in so you can beat him with the drive hit.
27:03Kevin in the middle of it.
27:04And now they actually pick him up the first time they left it wide open.
27:08Two on Duran off in the corner.
27:11Atari misses.
27:12The Rockets now five of 18 from three.
27:16Reed's made three of them.
27:17The rest of the Rockets teammates now two of 14 from three.
27:19There goes Jang again driving to the rim.
27:23We saw the night that Olivier Max's Prosper had with Memphis against the Rockets a few games
27:28back.
27:28And Jang is on his way.
27:29He's got 12.
27:30And he just played with, Prosper just played with more energy.
27:33And again, Dang is looking to get his shots.
27:39Durant to Shepard.
27:40The extra pass.
27:41Josh Akogi fakes a three.
27:42Worked baseline.
27:43And ultimately gets fouled by Green.
27:46A good drive there.
27:47Green didn't have the angle.
27:49Ends up just clipping J.O. as he drove right there.
27:52Second on A.J. Green.
27:54Josh Akogi to the free throw line.
27:57It doesn't matter what he's been asked to do.
28:01Starter.
28:01Reserve.
28:03Out of the rotation.
28:04Back in the rotation.
28:05It doesn't matter.
28:06He has excelled and has done whatever this Rockets coaching staff has asked of him this
28:11season.
28:11Now take advantage of tonight's Rocketshop discount of the game.
28:14Get 40% off All-City collection item.
28:17Shop now at Rocketshop.com.
28:20I have still not received any notice about an additional discount with Code Craig.
28:24So we're running out of season.
28:26My guess is that's not happening.
28:27I don't know if you want to see what that discount might look like.
28:31It actually probably adds $20 to the price.
28:34Don't mention Craig, otherwise you're going to pay extra.
28:37A little dust up there.
28:40Look at that Rockets gear right there.
28:43Maybe they use Code Vanessa to pick up some swag.
28:49A little chippy on that free throw attempt.
28:51Not sure what just went on.
28:52Jabari's calling for the foul.
28:55Actually a double foul, I believe.
28:57Craig, I'm hearing that they're going to do 75% for you.
29:01April Fool's.
29:02Yeah, I ain't buying that.
29:05I don't think nobody would for that one.
29:08Jackson out to Nance.
29:10Flat-footed three.
29:11Pete Nance with his second triple.
29:15Yeah, again, these guys are playing hard, and you've got to respect any pro.
29:22Oh, for sure.
29:25Nance turns back Jabari into a cutting or Kogi.
29:29Exaggerated ball fake, and then he lays it up and in.
29:32And if you move the ball, and you're patient, and the Milwaukee's falling apart a little bit defensively.
29:43Ryan on the take to Jackson, corner three.
29:48Jackson better known for his athleticism right now, and he can fly.
29:52Explosive athlete.
29:54Reach Shepard.
29:55Wow!
29:55Each one is progressively getting further and further away.
30:00That's his fourth.
30:01He already has 12.
30:06That was way out there.
30:08Shooting it with confidence.
30:09Reach Shepard.
30:11Four of five from downtown.
30:13He leads the Rockets with 12.
30:15Also has three assists.
30:17Timeout Milwaukee.
30:18Just over five minutes to play in the half.
30:20And it's during the 2020-2021 season.
30:23Oh, there you go.
30:24The Rockets used an NBA record 30 different guys.
30:27That wasn't too long ago.
30:30And now they just used 15, the fewest.
30:33Half as many.
30:34And I was with Dave Yeager in Memphis.
30:37You guys used like 29-ish that year.
30:4029, I would say.
30:41Yeah.
30:41In the same year that we had eight players and beat the Cavs with LeBron.
30:47Of course, Dave Yeager's an assistant.
30:49He asked me about that game.
30:51He said he wants to use it for his pregame speech.
30:53And it looks like it's not working too well.
30:56But he recalls that moment.
30:58Jackson.
31:00Durant knocked it out of his hands.
31:01He was trying to put him on a poster.
31:03Here's a man.
31:04Thompson back to Reach Shepard.
31:06Passes off to KD.
31:07He'll shoot over Jackson.
31:08Missed.
31:09Oh!
31:10He dunked off the miss for Josh Akogi, who came flying out of nowhere.
31:15Again, you love that crash from Josh.
31:18And you're getting this attention paid to Reach Shepard and then Kevin Durant.
31:25And that just opens up the lane.
31:27Akogi's two for two.
31:28And that last one was a very loud two points for him.
31:33You'll be seeing more of that from Josh.
31:36Eason to Durant.
31:38Back out to Akogi.
31:40Wide open.
31:41There you go.
31:42Three for three.
31:43Jay, the tip dunk, and then the triple.
31:45He's got eight already.
31:47Ten straight for Houston.
31:48In games like this, it's valuable to bring energy.
31:51So those are the plays that you need for the Rockets.
31:54Excellent job from Josh Akogi.
31:57Now he's pressuring Jay, who's got 12.
32:01Switched up defensively there with Tari Eason.
32:03Takes him off the dribble.
32:06Scores.
32:08That ends the Rockets' run.
32:10Jay used to be with OKC.
32:14His production has really increased big time in Milwaukee since he was traded there.
32:20He's getting an opportunity, Craig.
32:22For sure.
32:24After nine and a half a game with the Bucs, shooting it really well for three.
32:27Akogi, can he stay perfect?
32:29Nope.
32:30Rebound to Green.
32:32Head to Jackson.
32:35Green thought about it from the E at Toyota Center.
32:41By the way, Reed Shepard's most recent three was 32 feet.
32:46How did you find that out?
32:48You're up here.
32:48Trey, our incredible statistician here at Toyota Center.
32:51Oh, wow.
32:53Let's check this play out here from Josh Akogi.
32:57KD takes the three and watch Josh just time that up.
33:00Going with the one-hand jam.
33:02Gets everybody up and off the bench, man.
33:04He slams it down.
33:05Look, two Bucs over there underneath the rim.
33:08And Josh is just flying through.
33:10Look at that perfect timing.
33:11Oh, should have been man.
33:12One got a little bit of dang.
33:15Probably saying, oh, dang.
33:16Green, no dip, straightaway three.
33:19Offensive rebound and putback for Cormac Ryan.
33:24Again, these guys are playing hard.
33:26The energy's going to be there.
33:28And they're trying to make a name for themselves, Craig.
33:30For sure, just like the guys in Memphis.
33:32Here's Reed Shepard.
33:34Oh, wow.
33:35He's in a zone.
33:36His fifth triple, he already has 15 points.
33:39And that's why Reed's important.
33:40And when there's attention to Kevin or a man on a drive or these guys,
33:45and he spots up, no one wants to have to guard someone 30,
33:49let's say 32 feet away from the bucket?
33:51That one was 29.
33:52The previous one was 32.
33:53How do you know all this?
33:55You're up here, Craig.
33:57And Shepard with a deflection.
33:58Five on the shot clock.
34:00Milwaukee still has it.
34:01Big fella, I thought you needed glasses.
34:03Man, I mean, I do if I don't have contacts in.
34:06Are you farsighted or nearsighted?
34:08Nearsighted.
34:09Shengun stepping back on the floor.
34:11Tyrese and going out, but Reed's five threes.
34:14He's had three of them from 28 feet.
34:16One from 32 and the most recent one from 29.
34:19Quick release off the inbounds.
34:20Oh, Ryan.
34:21Good looking shot there.
34:24That should play baseball with poor vision.
34:26I wore contacts.
34:29Seven for Ryan.
34:31Now to Reed.
34:32Oh, that's a logo three.
34:34Back tap by Shengun.
34:36Tap to Durant from Thompson.
34:38Misses.
34:38And there's Shengun to tap it in.
34:40That's fun.
34:41And now Rockets, you know, say work inside out.
34:44They're working outside in.
34:46And you're having to guard Reed Shepard so far out that it's opening up the offense.
34:50We've talked about this so much.
34:52His three-point gravity is so important.
34:56I'm going to say it, Craig, and I know you don't want me to say this, but I'm going to
34:58say it.
35:01His comp is Steph Curry.
35:03And we're going to say it's someone similar that he plays like or a way that he can draw attention.
35:11I'm sorry, Craig.
35:12I'm going to be honest.
35:13There's not too many guys that pull you that far away from the rim.
35:19Big fella.
35:20You don't want to hear it.
35:22You've got to find another comp.
35:25I'm not calling him Mark Price.
35:27I'm not doing that.
35:28Jane Culper travel.
35:30I'm just, with all due respect, just not ready to quite give him Steph Curry vibes.
35:38I'm not saying he's Steph Curry, and it took a while for Curry to become Curry.
35:42And I'm not saying Reed's going to, going to, or not going to become Steph Curry.
35:49We're just talking in terms of a guy that size that pulls you that far away from the basket that
35:54can shoot on the run.
35:55Over the top to Nance, the catch, and the layup.
35:59Nance's got those long arms, like his dad and his brother.
36:02Vanessa just, I think she just referred to you as hot tape.
36:05Again.
36:06Oh, my goodness.
36:08She did not.
36:09But we are all very encouraged by Reed Shepard's sophomore season.
36:13Here's Durant, and that's a double.
36:16Now, if the dribble may know, my name was changed to hard truth Hollins.
36:20That's what we ran with over at that other place.
36:23It wasn't really.
36:25You know, I'm serious.
36:28Hard truth.
36:28You want to bring that back?
36:30No.
36:30I did, but I'd know.
36:32Third turnover for the Rockets.
36:34Again.
36:35Vanessa, there was like a whole radio drop with hard truth Hollins.
36:38It was like a, you know, the voices.
36:41There's Jang.
36:42And he's able to get the roll.
36:44He's got 16 in the half.
36:45He's 8 of 15 for the floor.
36:47He's had a very good game.
36:48That's Uncle Jay.
36:50And in these games, hey, who's going to take these shots?
36:52Stay aggressive as Milwaukee stays in it almost more like a matchup zone.
36:59Looking for Shen Goon back out to Durant.
37:03Now to Shepard.
37:07Four on the shot clock.
37:09And then Thompson on the attack.
37:11Missed it.
37:12And the rebound to Milwaukee.
37:14Shot clock is off.
37:15Closing seconds of the first half.
37:16Here's Green.
37:17Deep three on the way.
37:18And he bricks it.
37:19And the rebound to a man.
37:23Thompson.
37:23That's it.
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