The Milwaukee Bucks delivered a dominant 128-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, raining down three-pointers and effectively ending Detroit’s NBA Cup knockout stage hopes. By halftime, the Bucks had drained 15 threes to the Pistons’ four, setting the tone for a one-sided contest at Little Caesars Arena.
Bucks Dominate NBA Cup Group Play
The Bucks’ win secured their top spot in East Group B with a 3-1 record, advancing them to the knockout stage of the NBA’s inaugural midseason tournament. Meanwhile, the Pistons, also finishing 3-1 in group play, were edged out of a wild-card berth by the Orlando Magic on point differential. The Magic lost their own group but held a stronger statistical edge in the tie-breaker.
For Detroit, the disappointment was palpable. Their 9-14 record this season reflects a mix of promise and inconsistency. Missing the knockout stage means the Pistons will now play two consolation games next week, one at home and one on the road, with dates set for Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 15-16.
Giannis, Lillard Too Much for Detroit to Handle
Milwaukee’s superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard proved unstoppable. Antetokounmpo was near-flawless, scoring 28 points on 10-for-11 shooting while adding eight assists and seven rebounds. Lillard, returning from a concussion that sidelined him in the teams’ first meeting this season, chipped in 27 points, including five three-pointers.
Detroit’s defense couldn’t contain Milwaukee’s offensive rhythm. By the end of the third quarter, the Bucks were shooting 65.5% from the floor and had made more three-pointers (17) than they had missed overall (12). Antetokounmpo’s physicality drew numerous fouls, sidelining Detroit’s key defenders like Isaiah Stewart, who fouled out in the third quarter.
“Giannis is a tough cover for anyone,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff admitted postgame. “He makes it difficult to stay disciplined defensively, and when you’re also dealing with Lillard, you’ve got your hands full.”
Pistons Struggle to Keep Pace
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had another strong outing, finishing with 23 points and six assists, but the Pistons lacked the firepower to keep pace. Tobias Harris (16 points, three steals), Tim Hardaway Jr. (15 points), and Jalen Duren (11 points, six rebounds) also reached double figures, but it wasn’t enough to offset Milwaukee’s blistering shooting.
The Bucks shot 56.2% overall and an incredible 56.1% (23-for-41) from beyond the arc. The Pistons, in contrast, managed just 33.3% (11-for-33) from deep, including their dismal first-half showing. Milwaukee outscored Detroit by 33 points from three-point range.
The loss also highlighted Detroit’s recent defensive struggles. After ranking sixth in defensive rating as of mid-November, the Pistons have slipped to 18th in the league over their last seven games. Tuesday’s loss underscored their inability to contain shooters, a recurring theme in recent weeks.
A Missed Opportunity for Detroit
Tuesday’s matchup was more than just a regular-season game for the Pistons. It was a rare chance to compete for something tangible in a season that has often felt like a rebuilding slog. A win would’ve put them just two victories away from the NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas.
“This game holds weight,” Bickerstaff said before the game, emphasizing the league’s efforts to add significance to the regular season through the new tournament. But the Bucks, who now boast a 27-1 record against Detroit in their last 28 meetings, proved too formidable.
For the Pistons, the NBA Cup represented an opportunity to show progress. Instead, it served as a reminder of how far they still have to go to compete with the league’s elite teams.
