Despite losing Giannis Antetokounmpo due to an injury three minutes into the game, the Milwaukee Bucks dethroned the Detroit Pistons 113-109 on a tight Wednesday clash.
Bucks guard Kevin Porter dropped 26 points, while other backcourt Ryan Rollins added 22, along with AJ Green with 19 points and Jericho Sims with a career-high 15 points with 14 rebounds.
Giannis left with the same injury of right calf strain, not long after head coach Doc Rivers noted before the game, as there have been no discussions between team officials and the two-time MVP.
On the other hand, Pistons wing Tobias Harris scored 20 points, Cade Cunningham with 1,7 and Jaden Ivey added 15 for the Pistons, who had won 15 of 17.
Milwaukee sharpshooter Sims’ three-point play with 1:34 remaining gave the Bucks a 109-108 lead, while a pair of free throws by Rollins with 13 seconds left pushed the lead to three.
After a Detroit miss in another possession, Green sealed the win with a pair of foul throws.
The Pistons led 27-9 in the first quarter, but the Bucks outscored them with a point lead of 52-49 at the half, with Porter already tallying 16 first-half points.
Before the third quarter ended, Bobby Portis and Isaiah Steward had a heated exchange after Portis fouled Stewart in the lane, which a double technical being called, leading to the ejection of Stewart after being also been called a technical earlier.
The Bucks took their first lead at 56-55 early in the third quarter on Myles Turner’s three-pointer, but Detroit managed to hold an 85-78 lead.
After a tight clash in the East, the Pistons aim to bounce back when they face the Portland Trailblazers, while the Bucks look forward to winning again with Giannis-less against the Sixers on Friday.
