Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Damian Lillard's bravery in their narrow victory over the Houston Rockets. Lillard, returning after a concussion protocol, made a crucial layup with 3.9 seconds left, securing a 101-100 win. Despite missing all six of his three-point attempts, Lillard contributed 18 points and 10 assists, helping the Bucks achieve their third win in four games.
Brook Lopez was instrumental in the game, scoring 27 points on an impressive 11-of-15 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo also played a key role with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets seemed poised to extend their winning streak to six games, leading 100-99 with just over a minute left. However, Lillard's decisive play changed the outcome.

Rivers expressed unwavering confidence in Lillard despite his shooting struggles. "Dame just has great courage, you know?" Rivers stated. He compared Lillard to Ray Allen, noting that even on off nights, Allen was trusted to take crucial shots. Rivers sees the same quality in Lillard, believing he should always take and make the last shot.
Lillard reflected on his performance, acknowledging the need to persist through challenging moments. "I could feel it was one of those games where I needed to keep going," he said. His determination paid off as he executed a pivotal play and helped secure a defensive stop at the end.
The Bucks' recent form shows promise as they improve from a slow start to the season. With key players like Lillard stepping up in crucial moments, Milwaukee aims to build on this momentum moving forward.