The Detroit Pistons (8-14) ran out of gas in tonight’s game, as they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks (19-3) on the second half of a back-to-back game 127-103. Detroit came into this game with a two-game winning streak, with impressive wins against the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the red hot Milwaukee Bucks came in ready to play. The Bucks came into this one on a winning streak of their own, which after tonight’s game extended to 13 wins in a row for the title contenders, the first time they have been on a 13 game winning streak since the 1973 season.
After keeping it close through the first quarter, the Pistons were able to take their first lead of the night by going up 17-16 with 2:32 left in the first quarter. The Pistons went on a 7-0 run after trailing for most of the quarter, but the Bucks came back with a couple of baskets of their own to keep it close. The Pistons took a 24-22 lead to end the first quarter, holding the Bucks’ All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo to seven points on 3-of-8 shooting.
In the second quarter, the Bucks went on a 14-4 run, going up 36-28 with an Eric Bledsoe three-point shot with 7:58 left in the quarter. The Bucks continued to go on the attack, and with a Brook Lopez three, the Bucks extended their lead to 53-39. The Bucks led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, but the Pistons went on another 7-0 run to cut the lead to 57-46. The Bucks took a 59-48 lead heading into the half.
Things got interesting in the third quarter when Pistons’ forward Blake Griffin, Pistons’ guard Bruce Brown Jr., and Bucks’ forward (and former Piston) Khris Middleton were each assessed with technical fouls after Blake Griffin stepped over Giannis after a Bruce Brown Jr. foul. After the play, Middleton came over to let Griffin know he didn’t like what Griffin did to his teammate after the play was over. The Bucks turned on the jets once play resumed, going on a 12-0 run en route to a 92-72 lead to end the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Bucks continued the onslaught, never letting the Pistons come back in tonight’s defeat.
Pistons’ guard Luke Kennard (knee) did not suit up tonight. Pistons’ backup guard Sviatoslav (Svi) Mykhailiuk started in Kennard’s place for tonight’s game. Kennard dealt with knee issues over the summer, so this may be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Pistons’ center Andre Drummond finished tonight’s game with 23 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocked shots. Pistons’ guard Langston Galloway finished with 20 points. Blake Griffin finished with 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three assists.
For the Bucks, Giannis led the charge with 35 points and nine rebounds. Khris Middleton finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Pistons will have tomorrow off before facing off with another Central Division foe. The Pistons will look to start a new winning streak, this time against the Indiana Pacers in another home game this Friday at 7 PM.
