NBA on Mar. 26: Bucks beat Rockets, Heat retire No.1 jersey of Bosh

In the MVP candidate contest on Tuesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks defeated James Harden and his Houston Rockets 108-94 at the Fiserv Forum. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat retired the No.1 jersey of the team's former All-Star forward Chris Bosh at the American Airlines Arena during the halftime break of their home game against the Orlando Magic.

Bucks know how to confront Rockets, and Harden

Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by James Harden of the Houston Rockets in the game at the Fiserv Forum, March 26. /VCG Photo

Eric Bledsoe had Milwaukee's most 23 points and seven rebounds while Antetokounmpo had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez from the first-lineup both contributed 13 points. Pat Connaughton scored 14 points from the bench by burying four of his five three-pointers.

Though Harden dropped a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds, it took him 26 shots and he only made one shot from the 3-pt line after nine attempts. Chris Paul got 19 points and nine rebounds while Clint Capela scored a double-double of 17 pints and 11 rebounds. Danuel House Jr. contributed 15 points off the bench.

Bledsoe #6 of the Bucks penetrates in the game against the Rockets, March 26. /VCG Photo

Though Tuesday's game was about competition between Harden and Antetokounmpo, the two biggest candidates of the NBA MVP this season, neither of them had many astonishing performances on the court, partially thanks to the defensive tactics of the two teams. When your super star was limited, others of the team must stand out and for the Bucks, Bledsoe was the guy.

The four three-pointers he made did not say everything Bledsoe did in offense. The multiple injuries he suffered in the past nine years did not take away speed which the former "Mini LeBron James" used to dismember the Rockets' defense like a butter knife. On the other side of the court, Bledsoe even blocked two of Harden's shots.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks dunks in the game against the Rockets, March 26. /VCG Photo

Milwaukee's other players did their job, too, with their three-pointers, rebounds and steals-the Bucks led both rebounding (60-46) and stealing (10-7). Antetokounmpo also made important contributions to the team's victory. Though Houston always kept someone ready to double team him or help in defense when he got the ball around the free throw line, the Greek Freak still managed to earn the court's most seven free throws and made five of them. In defense, Antetokounmpo's mop-up helped the Bucks keep the opponent from launching scoring runs.

By contrast, the Rockets failed to do everything Milwaukee did. When Harden was limited by the opponent's defense, none of the rest of the team, including Paul, could stand out like Bledsoe did in offense. Though they sank in total 16 three-pointers, two more than the Bucks, in the game, Houston were disappointing in both scoring in the paint (36-46) and via fast breaks (2-28).

James Harden #13 of the Rockets under the defense of Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, March 26. /VCG Photo

The loss at the Fiserv Forum should also be a reminder to Harden. Though he stuck with the most efficient scoring ways on the court, three-pointers and attacking the rim, it also made him too predictable in offense. Lack of remarkable athleticism and offensive skills made it very difficult for Harden to confront defense made up of strong players who could run and jump and had long limbs.

Furthermore, the referees chose loose standards in the game which Harden did not fit well, either. When he could not earn fouls, Harden often found his rhythm disrupted, which should explain why had so bad field goal and 3-pt rates in the game. What made things worse for him was that Harden could not help the Rockets like Antetokounmpo. It's for sure that fouls will not be called so easily like in the regular season. Meanwhile, Harden's weakness in defense will definitely be exploited by the opponents. The challenge for Houston's MVP seemed only to be growing bigger in the playoffs.

Heat pay tributes to Bosh

Banner that represents No.1 jersey of Chris Bosh is raised to the rafters at the American Airlines Arena as part of the jersey retiring ceremony during the halftime break of the game between the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic, March 26. /VCG Photo

As the No.1 jersey rose up inside the home court of the Miami Heat, its owner, 35-year-old Chris Bosh joined Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal to become Miami's fourth player who had their number retired.

Multiple important figures of the team, including owner Micky Arison, president Pat Riley, Naismith Hall of Famer Mourning, former champion member Shane Battier, head coach Erik Spoelstra, current team members Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade.

"I feel like I can officially, officially, officially move on. It all happened really fast, but we're here. I'm so happy. And we get to move on into the next life together," said Bosh at the ceremony who also joked on his former teammate Wade, "Sorry about beating you to this jersey retirement thing. I had to beat you at something."

After his speech, Bosh again brought his signature scream for people in the American Airlines Arena.

Chris Bosh (R) and head coach Erik Spoestra of the Miami Heat at the jersey retiring ceremony, March 26 /VCG Photo

Bosh (L) and Dwyane Wade (R) of the Heat at the jersey retiring ceremony, March 26 /VCG Photo

Bosh delivers speech at the jersey retiring ceremony, March 26. /VCG Photo

Bosh makes his signature scream at the jersey retiring ceremony, March 26. /VCG Photo

As the most often ignored one from the Heat's "Big 3" between 2011 and 2014, Bosh was so much underestimated that people forgot before he came to Miami, Bosh finished five seasons scoring over 22 points per game on average with the Toronto Raptors. In three of those seasons, he also grabbed an average of over 10 rebounds.

Bosh kept making sacrifices since he joined Wade and LeBron James by playing as a center, agreeing to reduce his ball position and moving out of the paint to stretch out for James and Wade. Besides, let's not forget, it was he and Wade who agreed to join hands first before James made the "Decision."

Bosh of the Heat grabs the valuable offensive rebound that leads to the game tying three-pointer by Ray Allen in Game 6 of the 2012-13 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. /VCG Photo

The biggest highlight of Bosh's career in Miami was definitely when he got that valuable offensive rebound in Game 6 of the 2012-13 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs before passing it to Ray Allen who buried the game-tying corner three-pointer. Just like the rebound, Bosh was never the main dish of the championship feast but there would not be a feast without him.

Other games on Tuesday included: (away teams come first)

San Antonio Spurs 116-125 Charlotte Hornets

Boston Celtics 116-106 Cleveland Cavaliers

Orlando Magic 104-99 Miami Heat

Chicago Bulls 103-112 Toronto Raptors

Los Angeles Clippers 122-111 Minnesota Timberwolves

Atlanta Hawks 130-120 New Orleans Pelicans

Sacramento Kings 125-121 Dallas Mavericks

Detroit Pistons 92-95 Denver Nuggets

Washington Wizards 106-124 Los Angeles Lakers