Rockets stay unbeaten with 32-point win

The Houston Rockets kept their season perfect by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 132-100 on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. The victory extends Houston's record to 5-0 and adds another data point to a season that has begun with strong defensive and offensive efficiency.

Fred VanVleet led the scoring with 24 points. The guard missed all of last season with a torn ACL but hit seven of 14 shots, including four of nine from deep. He scored 15 consecutive points midway through the third quarter, which helped put Houston ahead 81-61.

Amen Thompson added 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Kevin Durant contributed 18 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic had 16 in 15 minutes. The team shot 54.8 percent from the field and made 23 of 26 free-throw attempts. This shooting accuracy provided a reliable foundation for the large margin of victory.

Center Alperen Sengun sat out with low back soreness. He averages 24.5 points per game for Houston. Steven Adams missed the game with a right calf strain, and guard Marcus Smart missed his third straight contest with a left forearm strain. Despite these absences, the Rockets controlled the pace of the game.

Houston took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Bucks 34-14. The team scored the first eight points of that period to take a 31-21 lead. Clint Capela's tip-in extended the advantage to 49-30 by the end of the half. Milwaukee shot just 4 of 24 from beyond the arc in the first half and made its only free-throw attempt during that span.

Tyler Herro scored 23 points and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 for the Bucks, who are now 1-4. The Rockets will travel to Dallas on Friday for NBA Cup play. Milwaukee will host Cleveland on Saturday.