Fred VanVleet’s return would be pleasant surprise for Rockets vs. Bucks

Among the myriad factors contributing to the Houston Rockets’ downturn this month has been the absence of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, who missed his ninth consecutive game on Saturday when the Rockets fell to the Utah Jazz in the second game of a back-to-back.

Including a home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 1 — during which VanVleet logged only 16 minutes before departing with a right ankle injury — the Rockets have dropped seven of 10 games.

On Tuesday, they attempt to right the ship when they host the Milwaukee Bucks to open a three-game homestand.

VanVleet practiced Monday and remains a game-time decision against Milwaukee.

The Rockets have distributed the offense-orchestration duties among several candidates to mixed results, with Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun mostly responsible for getting the Rockets into their sets or ensuring that optimal shot attempts are created in the halfcourt.

Green and Thompson have labored with ball security with VanVleet sidelined. And, in their 121-115 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last Friday, Sengun committed a career-high eight turnovers attempting to score or pass when facing a second defender.

Sengun and VanVleet have established a strong working relationship over the past two seasons. If any player misses VanVleet the most, it’s Sengun.

“I think as other guys have grown into that role, they have to figure out what plays we like to get Alperen in (and) what shots we want to get him,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “But Fred does that pretty naturally.

“They have a good thing in their two-man game or, in general, Fred getting us into sets that benefit Alpi. I’d say Fred is crucial to our whole ecosystem of what we do because of his IQ and the headiness that he plays with. We’re missing some of that, but other guys are getting the opportunity to improve as well.”

The Bucks revamped their rotation at the trade deadline and the results have been wildly positive thus far. Milwaukee notched its fourth consecutive victory Monday with a 120-113 decision over the Miami Heat — rallying from a double-digit, first-quarter deficit in the process.

The additions of Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jericho Sims have provided the Bucks with needed depth and versatility, especially given the 25-game absence of suspended forward Bobby Portis Jr. Whereas the Bucks were previously vulnerable in their minutes without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the new additions offer abundant cover when their stars sit.

The Porter-Kuzma tandem is one to watch as Milwaukee pursues a favorable playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

“That’s where Scoot (Porter) comes in,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “That’s why we’re doing it. We believe Scoot and Kuz, just their athleticism, their length (is beneficial). It just gives us a lot of speed and we try to make sure we have one roller — and that’s Jericho — and two shooters around those guys, and I think it’s a good fit.”

–Field Level Media