The young and scrappy Houston Rockets pay the Milwaukee Bucks a visit. It should be a barn burner as the two are on a great stretch.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Houston Rockets (13-9, 2-8 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

• Fred VanVleet
• Jalen Green
• Dillon Brooks
• Jabari Smith Jr.
• Alperen Sengun

The Rockets head to the game riding a five-game winning streak. They are averaging 107.4 points per game in that span, while holding opponents to 97.8 points on 40.2% shooting. It’s true to their new identity, highlighted by having arguably the best defense in the league (fewest points allowed per game and second in defensive rating).

This is a young, scrappy tough bunch that has been molded quite nicely by head coach Ime Udoka, and the group will continue being as such. They have Alperen Sengun (19.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 5.2 APG) and Jabari Smith Jr. (12.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) headlining the front court, alongside a dynamic backcourt in Fred VanVleet (16.4 PPG, 8.5 APG) and Jalen Green (17.8 PPG), so it’s looking really nice. Pesky ‘3 and D’ wing Dillon Brooks is there to be an agitator too.

HOME: Milwaukee Bucks (18-7, 13-2 HOME)

Projected starting five:

• Damian Lillard
• Malik Beasley
• Khris Middleton
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Brook Lopez

After starting out 5-4, the Bucks have found their groove. They have gone 13-3 over their last 16 games while flexing that ever-intense offense, and have jumped second in scoring (123.3 PPG) and offensive rating as a result.

Six players are averaging 12 or more PPG over that aforementioned span, obviously as led by the two superstars, Giannis Antetokounmpo (33.3 PPG) and Damian Lillard (25.6 PPG).

The former is playing like the classic ‘Greek Freak,’ and is just a game removed from that 64-point explosion this past Thursday. Lillard, meanwhile, is fresh from scoring 33 points, his highest scoring output in five weeks. The third scorer in the stretch, Brook Lopez (15.6 PPG, 3.6 BPG), will be a key point as well as he affects the game considerably with his size and shooting.

Khris Middleton, Malik Beasley, and Bobby Portis will be the other options who are in for a challenge opposite a stout defensive unit.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Bucks (-7) fail to cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total goes over 229.5.