Giannis Antetokounmpo's triple-double lifts Bucks past Pistons

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd January, 21:47 2024

Jan 22, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) protects the ball from Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. credits: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo notched a triple-double with 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons for the second time in three days, 122-113, on Monday.

Khris Middleton had 26 points and Damian Lillard, who tossed in a season-high 45 points in the Bucks' 141-135 win on Saturday, added 17 points and eight assists. Brook Lopez added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Malik Beasley chipped in 13 points.

The Bucks have won 21 of the last 22 regular-season meetings with the Pistons, including the last nine matchups. They completed a sweep of the four-game season series on Monday.

Marcus Sasser led Detroit with 23 points. Isaiah Stewart had 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, while Jaden Ivey added 17 points.

Neither side had a double-digit lead before halftime.

The score was tied 30-30 after the first quarter and Milwaukee led 58-56 at the break.

Antetokounmpo topped the Bucks with 13 points in the first half. Ivey and Sasser contributed 10 points apiece for the Pistons.

Antetokounmpo and Middleton opened the second half with dunks, giving the Bucks a 62-56 lead with 11:30 left in the third quarter.

A 9-2 Bucks run gave them an 82-73 lead. Beasley scored five points during the run and assisted on an Antetokounmpo layup.

The Pistons closed the third quarter on a 6-2 to cut the deficit to 89-85. Sasser scored five of those Pistons points.

Alec Burks hit a 3-pointer to trim the Pistons deficit to 93-92 with 10:46 left in the fourth quarter. Sasser's fastbreak layup with 9:24 remaining gave Detroit a 96-95 lead.

Lillard hit a 3-pointer with 6:46 left to give Milwaukee a 107-105 edge. Ivey and Sasser scored on back-to-back possessions to put Detroit back in front.

Lopez responded with a 3-pointer to give the Bucks a one-point lead. Antetokounmpo then drove the lane for a layup.

Ivey hit a pullup jumper but Antetokounmpo countered with two free throws. He then set up Beasley for a 3-pointer, making it 117-111 with 3:30 left.

Lopez dunked after a Pistons turnover and Middleton hit a 3-pointer to give Milwaukee a 122-111 lead.

—Field Level Media

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