The Milwaukee Bucks cruised to a commanding 128-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, fueled by 28 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and 27 from Damian Lillard.
With the win, Milwaukee secured a perfect 4-0 record in East Group B, clinching their spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
For the Bucks, the game was yet another display of their resurgence, marking their seventh consecutive win and ninth in the last ten games. Meanwhile, the Pistons, despite coming into the matchup with a 3-0 tournament record, were officially eliminated.
Giannis and Dame Take Charge
Giannis Antetokounmpo was nothing short of sensational, hitting 10 of his 11 shots in just 28 minutes of play. He flirted with a triple-double, adding eight assists and seven rebounds, and sat out the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach. Damian Lillard complemented his co-star with 27 points, setting the tone early and helping Milwaukee seize control in the opening minutes.
Gary Trent Jr. contributed 16 points, while Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince each added 14 off the bench for Milwaukee. A.J. Green chipped in with 11, rounding out an impressive offensive performance for the Bucks.
Pistons Struggle to Keep Pace
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 23 points, while Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway scored 16 and 15, respectively. Jalen Duren added 11 points, but the Pistons couldn’t sustain any momentum against Milwaukee’s red-hot offense. Despite entering the game unbeaten in the tournament, Detroit’s hopes for advancing were dashed in decisive fashion.
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Hot Start Sets the Tone
Lillard wasted no time asserting himself, scoring seven points in the first 2:35 of the game, including a smooth jumper on the opening possession. Milwaukee quickly jumped to a 10-4 lead and never looked back, ending the first quarter with a 36-31 advantage.
By halftime, the Bucks had built a commanding 78-59 lead, fueled by sizzling shooting and suffocating defense. They connected on a staggering 69% of their shots in the first two quarters, leaving Detroit scrambling to keep up.
Key Stats and Takeaways
Milwaukee’s offensive efficiency was nothing short of elite. Entering the fourth quarter, the Bucks were shooting an incredible 66%, a testament to their crisp ball movement and shot selection.
The dynamic duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard continues to carry the team, with their complementary styles proving nearly impossible for opponents to counter. After a shaky 2-8 start to the season, Milwaukee has found its groove and looks every bit the contender they were projected to be.
On the other hand, the Pistons missed a major opportunity to make a statement. In what could have been a signature win during a rebuilding phase, Detroit struggled to rise to the occasion.
Looking Ahead
The Bucks will look to maintain their momentum as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. With their stars firing on all cylinders, Milwaukee appears poised for a deep run in the NBA Cup.
The Pistons, meanwhile, face another tough challenge with a road game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Despite their elimination, Detroit will aim to regroup and salvage positives from the tournament experience.
As the Bucks march into the quarterfinals, their blend of star power and depth makes them a formidable force. For the Pistons, the loss underscores the gap they still need to close to compete with the NBA’s elite.
