Bucks rout Pistons, finish early NBA Cup play undefeated
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) in the first quarter of an NBA Cup game at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo racked up 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks advanced in the NBA Cup with a 128-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Damian Lillard had 27 points and five assists for the Bucks, who won all four of their games in East Group B and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NBA in-season tournament.
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The Bucks also continued their recent dominance over the Pistons. They have won 11 in a row over their Central Division rival and 23 of the last 24.
Gary Trent Jr. had 16 points, Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince added 14 apiece and AJ Green chipped in 11. The Bucks knocked down 23 of 41 of their 3-point attempts.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) reacts after being poked in the eye against the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter of an NBA Cup game at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 23 points and six assists, while Tobias Harris supplied 16 points and five rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points, and Jalen Duren tossed in 11 points with six rebounds. Detroit entered the contest undefeated in group play.
Lillard scored 12 points in the first quarter as the Bucks took a 36-31 lead. Lillard’s layup with 8:05 remaining in the half gave Milwaukee a 50-38 lead.
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After the Pistons cut their deficit to six, Milwaukee finished the half on a 17-4 run to take a 78-59 lead. Prince had eight points during that span, including a pair of 3-pointers, while the Pistons committed five turnovers.
Milwaukee knocked down 15 of 21 treys prior to the break. Lillard had 18 points in the half while three teammates scored 11 apiece. Harris topped the Pistons with 13 points.
Lillard also scored the first four points of the second half — a 3-pointer and a technical free throw.
When Lillard drained another 3-pointer with 7:08 left in the third quarter, Milwaukee’s lead grew to 97-72. The Bucks reached the 100-point mark on a 3-pointer by Prince midway through the quarter.
The Bucks’ lead was 22 at 110-88 when the quarter ended. –Field Level Media
