The Detroit Pistons (5-11) couldn’t win on the road tonight in their second half of a back-to-back game, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks 104-90. The Bucks (13-3) have won seven straight games and have won 11 of their last 12 games. The Bucks were in control for most of this game, and although they never relinquished the lead after leading 2-0 at the beginning of the first quarter, the Pistons were able to cut it close a few times before running out of gas in the fourth quarter.
Down by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, the Pistons were able to cut the lead to three, trailing 27-24 to end the first quarter. Drummond had a relatively quiet night offensively but started the game scoring six points and added six rebounds in the first quarter. Derrick Rose contributed seven points in the first quarter off the bench. The Pistons bench outscored the starters in the first quarter 14-10.
The Pistons found themselves in a similar situation in the second quarter. After trailing 49-38, the Pistons were able to cut the lead to four points before a three-pointer from Bucks guard George Hill pushed the lead back to seven to give the Bucks a 54-47 lead at the half.
Pistons second-year guard Bruce Brown Jr. made a three-point shot to open the third quarter, and the Pistons were once again able to cut the lead to just four. The Bucks then opened the floodgates and the Pistons found themselves trailing by 17 points. The Pistons were able to cut the lead to just eight, trailing 77-69 to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Pistons had no answers for the Bucks, as the Bucks were able to outscore the Pistons 27-21. The Bucks were led by All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished tonight’s game with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a pair of steals and a block.
Pistons center Andre Drummond finished tonight’s game with 12 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Pistons guard Derrick Rose was able to score 20 points while adding six assists in a losing effort.
Bucks All-Star and former Pistons second-round pick Khris Middleton did not play in tonight’s game. Middleton is still nursing a left thigh contusion he suffered back on November 10th against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pistons All-Star Blake Griffin also did not play in tonight’s defeat. The team decided to rest Blake after playing him 33 minutes in last night’s victory against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Pistons will have tomorrow off before facing the Orlando Magic in a home game on Monday night at 7 PM.
