Detroit Pistons – Milwaukee Bucks 130-150: They were leveled on the return by Giannis Antetokounmpo

In Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first return game in almost two weeks, the Milwaukee Bucks had no trouble against the Detroit Pistons. The Deer leveled the Pistons in the first period and since then they’ve only done maintenance and came to victory (150-130) in Little Caesars Arena with typical comfort.

The difference in momentum and options was evident to the naked eye, with Mike Budenholzer taking the opportunity to split up the game time and not have to press Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton any more than he wanted.

Milwaukee took a 30-17 lead (18-5 h, 12-12 a) with Giannis Antetokounmpo tearing down the Detroit Pistons’ defense in the first half and playing it out ever since.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ next game is on Thursday, January 26 at 3:00 a.m. in the early hours of the morning against Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets.

The Detroit Pistons (6-18 home, 6-19 away) fell to 12-37 and remained the worst team in the NBA for another season, with Bojan Bogdanovic fighting alone for most of the game. But a player can’t win (this) Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo’s account

Missing five games, Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t waste a moment in the first half. He was aggressive, efficient, insatiable. Ready for anything. Within 8’27” of participating in the first 12 minutes, he managed to score 20 points and lead the Milwaukee Bucks to +25, allowing him to not be pressured after that.

He did the job anyway – more than that. And didn’t make any effort afterwards because everything was decided and it was all about protecting himself and his knee.

• 29 points
• 6/11 two points
• 2/4 three-hand
• Recordings from 17.11
• 12 setbacks
• 4 assists
• 4 errors
• 1 foul
• +26 to +/-
  at 26’31”

The race

It was evident from the start that the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Middleton (he started on the bench) would boost everyone’s confidence and psychology at the Milwaukee Bucks. Precisely for this reason, the launch was dynamic, impressive, unrepeatable. The Stags found themselves 20 (28-8) before we were even halfway through the first half, with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing 11/2/2 up to that point and looking unstoppable despite not straining to get things done .

Everything came naturally, for everyone. Hence Milwaukee’s 49 points in the first twelve minutes (including 20 from the hand of the “Greek Freak”), the difference exceeding double the score (49-24) and making the rest of the first part a procedural matter.

Mike Budenholzer’s players didn’t let the Detroit Pistons feel like they could get any closer (71-43 in 20′), with the difference at halftime being +28 (83-55) and the “Deer” 19/25 2 -Points counted, 13/24 threes and 6/8 shots, with 23 assists for 8 turnovers.

With the difference on these levels, what can Detroit claim? He couldn’t and had no reason to chase anything in Little Caesars Arena. No matter how hard Bojan Bogdanovic kept fighting (mostly with his peripherals), the flow didn’t reverse. And if the hosts were a little more competitive after the break, the essence didn’t change a bit as the Milwaukee Bucks lead was held – with typical comfort – over 20+ points.

With that, the “Deer” achieved what is probably the most relaxed win of the season and – apart from that – smiled at the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.

THE DODECALPTA: 24-49, 55-83, 92-115, 130-150.

DETROIT PISTON: Bay 21 (2), Bogdanovic 33 (6/7 3-pointers, 3 rebounds), Duren 23 (9/13 2-pointers, 5/5 shots, 14 rebounds), Livers 9 (2), Ivey 12 (1 3-pointers, 11 assists), Burks 4, Joseph 5 (1 3-pointers, 7 assists), Knox 5 (1), McGruder 4, Noel 3.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Connaughton 6 (2), G. Antetokounmpo 29 (6/11 two-pointers, 2/4 three-pointers, 11/17 shots, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers), Lopez 21 (2), Allen 9 ( 1 treble, 5 assists, 3 steals), Holiday 16 (1 3s, 7 assists), Portis 18 (2 3s, 10 rebounds, 3 assists), Inglis 6 (2), Middleton 8 (2), Noora 4 (0/ 4 3 points), Carter 18 (6/8 3 points), Beauchamp 7 (1), Matthews 6 (2), Green, T. Antetokounmpo 2.

Detroit Pistons team stats: 30/54 2-pointers, 13/32 3-pointers, 31/40 shots, 45 rebounds, 27 assists, 10 steals, 20 turnovers, 4 blocks.

Milwaukee Bucks team stats: 32/46 2-pointers, 23/52 3-pointers, 17/24 shots, 57 rebounds, 38 assists, 11 steals, 18 fouls, 6 blocks.