Bucks vs. Rockets, rebounding identities will be challenged

The Milwaukee Bucks continue a weeklong homestand when they face the Houston Rockets tonight, Oct. 28, at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks (1-2) look to back up their first win of the season by handing the Rockets (4-0) their first loss of the season.Milwaukee beat Indiana and Houston topped Atlanta on Oct. 26.“Just building on what we did last game, kind of continue to find our identity of how we’re successful on both ends of the court and just applying that to the next game,” Bucks guard Ryan Rollins said. “I think that’s the main thing for us. They are 4-0 but everybody ends up losing at some point.”Bucks rebounding emphasis to be challengedHead coach Taylor Jenkins came into the season looking to establish a hardnosed culture with his team, and a big part of that was an emphasis on rebounding, particularly on the offensive end. Inherently, chasing down missed shots are hustle plays, and show some want-to.A great example of what that culture looks like in its full form will be across from the Bucks in Ime Udoka’s Houston team. Since taking over in 2023-24, Udoka’s Rockets have finished No. 3, No. 1 and No. 1 in total rebounding and No. 6, No. 1 and No. 1 in offensive rebounding.“It’s a great challenge for sure,” Bucks guard Kasparas Jakučionis said. “They play really hard, going for offensive rebounds and playing a physical game. It’s a great challenge for us. We’re ready and we have to attack with the right mentality.”In the very early part of this season, Jenkins’ entire team has bought into his emphasis and it needed to, as one of their tallest players, 6-foot, 11-inch Myles Turner, has never been a prolific rebounder (6.6 per game for his career) and 7-footer Kel’El Ware is currently playing under 20 minutes per game in reserve.Forwards Kyle Kuzma (8.5) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (8.0) join Ware (8.5) as team leaders in the young season, but such totals don’t jump off the page relative to league leaders who average well into double digits per game. So, Milwaukee has turned to its backcourt to help finish defensive possessions and create extra ones on offense. Tyler Herro (5.8), Ryan Rollins (4.8) and Jakučionis (3.0) all are currently sitting at career highs in total rebounds per game. Rookie guard Brayden Burries is pitching in 3.3 per game as well.“It’s new for me as well, just being able to [crash],” Herro said. “In Miami I was the one getting back on defense on the shot, and now it’s like coach wants us all pretty much tagging up, all crashing the glass, being on the top side, so it’s an adjustment for me. But honestly, we do it every single day. It’s a big part of what we do. It’s a cool opportunity to do something new because I wouldn’t do that in Miami. I’m doing something new, so I appreciate it.”Through four games Houston hasn’t had much to rebound on the offensive end, though, as the Rockets are making 39% of their 3-pointers [No. 5 in the NBA], 57.7% of their 2-pointers [No. 5] and 50.9% of their shots overall [No. 3].Should the Bucks help force some missed shots on the defensive end, they won’t have to deal with offensive rebounding savant Steven Adams [soleus strain] and fellow Rockets big man Alperen Şengün [back soreness]. That will only help Milwaukee, which is already the best defensive rebounding team in the NBA.On the other end, Houston’s opponents are missing quite a bit of their shots. Through their first four games, opponents have only shot 29% from behind the 3-point line and opponents are shooting 46.1% overall. But, the Rockets are giving up 11.8 offensive rebounds per game and Milwaukee enters the game No. 6 in the league in grabbing 14.3 second chances.“It’s always being ready, if everybody crashes, soon it’ll have to go our way - or at least somebody get a hand on it and then you never know, the next person may be able to grab it,” Ware told the Journal Sentinel about offensive rebounding. “It’s all about effort. And being ready to get it.”More: Milwaukee Bucks season previewMilwaukee Bucks injury reportAll players are available.Bucks probable starting lineupGuards: Ryan Rollins, Tyler HerroForwards: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle KuzmaCenter: Myles TurnerHow to watch the Bucks gameMY24 or the Bucks+ streaming app, with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.What time is the Brewers World Series game?First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.What time is the Bucks game?Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.More: A lot of sports going on in city with rare Bucks-Brewers doubleheaderWhat channel is the Brewers World Series game?FOX.Bucks vs. Rockets oddsHouston is an 8.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 225.5 points, per BetMGM.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks vs. Rockets, rebounding identities will be challenged