TM
The Milwaukee Bucks were severely tested by the shorthanded Detroit Pistons but a big fourth quarter rally led by new All Star Damian Lillard carried Milwaukee to a 120-118 victory at Fiserv Forum. The Pistons (2-7) arrived down 6 players on their roster because of injury. Led by Cade Cunningham’s 33 points, Detroit kept the Bucks on their heels through the first half. Three minutes into the third quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo drove to the hoop and finished with an emphatic dunk. He struck the familiar flex pose with a grimace but officials thought it bordered on taunting and he was whistled for a technical foul, his second of the game brining about his ejection. The Pistons took advantage of his absence and built a 109-99 lead with just over seven minutes to play. That’s when it became Dame Time. Lillard finished with 34 points on the night, pouring in 18 in the 4th quarter. At one point, he scored 16 of Milwaukee’s 18 points in the rally. Brook Lopez delivered a huge three point shot for a 4 point lead and then protected the rim with a blocked shot to keep the margin at 2. Another deflection by Jae Crowder on an in-bounds pass with :04 sealed it. The Bucks (5-2) got 18 points from Bobby Portis, 16 coming in the first half. Lopez wound up with 14. Antetokounmpo was on his way to perhaps a triple double with 15 points, 9 rebounds and five assists before getting tossed. Milwaukee will take its three game winning streak on the road Thursday night when they meet the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. Pre-game coverage begins at 5:30 PM with a 6:00 PM tip on WNFL.
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