Giannis Antetokounmpo scores against the Pistons – Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 107-104 win over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night.
Twenty-four of Antetokounmpo’s 32 points came in the second half.
The Bucks led by 15 in the third quarter, but the Pistons made a run to get back in it and the teams went back and forth the rest of the way. Then in the closing minutes, Giannis took over with three clutch baskets and the Bucks held on for the win.
Khris Middleton added 22 points and Eric Bledsoe had 17 points and nine assists.
Blake Griffin had a triple-double for the Pistons with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but he hit just 4 of 13 from the field and committed 10 turnovers. After Giannis Antetokounmpo got into early foul trouble, it was D.J. Wilson and Sterling Brown that held Griffin in check the rest of the night.
Wilson finished with nine points on 4 of 5 shooting from the field and added three rebounds and three assists. His opportunity came after Ersan Ilyasova suffered a nose injury during practice.
The Bucks also played again without Malcolm Brogdon, who missed his second straight game with left hamstring soreness.
The win is number-20 on the season for the Bucks, who didn’t secure their 20th win until Jan. 3rd last season. They also improved to 7-1 against Central Division teams this season. They finished 6-10 against the Central Division last year.
Next up for the Bucks is a home game on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.