Inside The Rockets

Refs May Have Robbed Rockets in Loss vs. Bucks

The Houston Rockets were on the wrong end of a crucial call against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 18, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets fell 101-100 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night at the Fiserv Forum in a game where every possession mattered, especially down the stretch.

On Houston's penultimate possession, Rockets center Alperen Sengun had his shot blocked by Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who came down with the rebound.

However, in a photo captured by a fan on social media, it appears Antetokounmpo landed out of bounds when fighting for the loose ball.

The Bucks went on to score the game-winning basket on the ensuing possession, costing the Rockets the game.

Sure, the Rockets could have defended better on Damian Lillard in his drive to the basket and Sengun could have caught Fred VanVleet's inbounds pass a little better on the team's final possession, but had Houston been given the ball back on Antetokounmpo's step out of bounds, the game and result could have been drastically different.

The Rockets would have had the ball with 20 seconds to go and they would likely have been fouled by the Bucks to try to win the game with free throws.

The NBA will release its two-minute report from the game, likely confirming the missed call, but it doesn't change the outcome of the matchup.

The Rockets will be back on the floor tomorrow against the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. CT inside Toyota Center.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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