Veteran forward PJ Tucker will make his initial return to Houston and Toyota Center on Thursday when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Rockets. Tucker was traded in March as part of a complex deal that brought in DJ Augustin, D.J. Wilson, and future draft considerations.
On paper, it seems that Tucker is likely to have a happy homecoming. Led by two-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee enters Thursday with the No. 3 record in the Eastern Conference and tied for the second-best point differential (+6.4 per game) among all NBA teams. Houston, of course, has the league’s worst record.
Tucker played approximately three-and-a-half seasons with the Rockets after signing with the franchise in July 2017. Among many distinctions, he was a key defensive player and leader on the 2017-18 squad that finished with the NBA’s best record (65-17) and the most wins of any team in franchise history. Since then, with Houston now headed down a rebuilding path in the aftermath of James Harden’s forced departure, the Rockets shipped the 35-year-old to Milwaukee — where Tucker has a much better shot to contend for an NBA title in the near future.
Unlike his role in Houston for much of the past three seasons, Tucker currently comes off the bench for Mike Budenholzer’s Bucks.
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Here’s when you should tune in to see Thursday’s game, which is also likely to feature a Tucker tribute video during a first-half timeout:
- Date: Thursday, April 29
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (15-47)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Armoni Brooks
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Kelly Olynyk
- Center: Christian Wood
Milwaukee Bucks (38-23)
- Guard: Jrue Holiday
- Guard: Donte DiVincenzo
- Forward: Khris Middleton
- Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
As usual in an injury plagued 2020-21 season, the Rockets will be very short-handed. According to the NBA’s injury report, John Wall (right hamstring) DJ Augustin (left ankle), Sterling Brown (left knee), Dante Exum (right calf), Eric Gordon (right groin), and David Nwaba (right wrist) are all out for Thursday. Meanwhile, Danuel House Jr. (right ankle) and Avery Bradley (right leg) are each questionable due to soreness.
Milwaukee would appear to have the edge on Houston, regardless of the injury situation, but they also look to be the healthier squad. Only Axel Toupane (right oblique) is listed as out. Antetokounmpo (right ankle sprain) and DiVincenzo (left Achilles soreness) are also on the report, but each is listed as probable to play against the Rockets.
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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