Giannis breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most rebounds in Bucks history vs Rockets… before Milwaukee coaching staff make sure to secure the game ball after his rage against Pacers

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 26 points and 17 rebounds to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the Bucks' rebounding leader against the Houston Rockets, while a Milwaukee coach made sure he secured the game ball after his recent upset.

Antetokounmpo's highest total of the season allowed him to pass 76-year-old Abdul-Jabbar, after already passing the Hall of Famer for the team's scoring record earlier this week.

The 29-year-old 'Greek Freak' is also now the Bucks' career leader in assists, joining Michael Jordan (Chicago), LeBron James (Cleveland) and Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) as the only players with a total running a franchise. three categories.

After the Bucks won their thirteenth straight home game and improved to 14-1 at home while snapping the Rockets' five-game winning streak in a 128-119 victory on Sunday, Milwaukee assistant coach Danny Carter the ball from one of the officials and gave it to one of the team's equipment men to return to the locker room in an effort to avoid a similar confrontation that occurred after Wednesday's win against the Indiana Pacers.

“We're doing good,” both Bucks analysts from Bally Sports Milwaukee finally said in a sign of relief.

Seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard scored 39 points against Houston, while forward Khris Middleton scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Bucks finally pulled away from a Rockets team that had hung around for most of all four quarters.

Middleton sank a 3-pointer to give the Bucks a 112-106 lead with 5:26 left, and a three-point play by Antetokounmpo made it 118-111 with 3:44 left. Brook Lopez added 18 points for the Bucks (19-7) and Bobby Portis had 11 off the bench.

Dillon Brooks was ejected after picking up two technical fouls with 38.9 seconds left, and Rockets coach Ime Udoka was also whistled for two technical fouls after coming onto the court. Lillard made 3 of 4 free throws after the techs to tie his highest score of the season. He also had 11 assists.

Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points and center Alperen Sengun had 20. Brooks added 18 and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16.

Antetokounmpo broke Abdul-Jabbar's record with a rebound of Tari Eason's missed shot with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter. It was his 14th rebound of the game and gave him 17,162 rebounds in his 11th season with Milwaukee.

The Bucks showed video of his career highlights the next timeout and Antetokounmpo received a huge ovation from the Fiserv Forum crowd.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Lopez and Lillard gave the Bucks an 83-72 lead midway through the third quarter and forced a Houston timeout.

Brooks had a basket taken away during a review when it was determined he had committed an offensive foul, using his right elbow to accidentally hit Pat Connaughton in the face.

The Bucks led by as many as 14 points late in the third quarter before Jeff Green sank a 3-pointer and two free throws, cutting the Rockets' deficit to 100-91 entering the final period.

Lillard got off to a fast start, scoring 15 points and adding five assists in the first quarter as the Bucks jumped out to a 33-28 lead. Lillard was 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

Andre Jackson gave the Bucks a boost midway through the second quarter, tipping and scoring on a fast break on consecutive possessions as Milwaukee took a 52-43 lead. He later added a 3-pointer in the corner and finished with nine points in the half.

Milwaukee led 71-60 at halftime despite the Rockets allowing 58.5 percent of the goals. Lillard had 20 points and Antetokounmpo added 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Bucks played without guard Malik Beasley, who missed his second straight game due to a non-Covid illness.

Milwaukee hosts San Antonio on Tuesday, while the Rockets play Cleveland in the second game of a back-to-back on Monday.