:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57144011/usa_today_10343881.0.jpg)
Milwaukee was hoping to end their disappointing preseason on a high note, when they hosted the Detroit Pistons. Giannis Antetokounmpo started the game hot, getting two consecutive drive and kicks for open three pointers to Thon Maker and Tony Snell. After jumping to a 9-4 start, Giannis had another drive and kick to Sterling Brown for another open three. After a few back and forth baskets, Detroit pulled away a bit and Ish Smith hit a running buzzer beater to put Detroit ahead at the end of the first, 24-17.
Slow starts for both teams increased the Pistons’ lead, but Rashad Vaughn and Mirza Teletovic started hitting catch and shoot threes and slimmed the lead to 36-30 with seven minutes left in the half. Back-to-back threes from Matthew Dellavedova and Snell kept the Bucks in striking distance. Milwaukee was able to match Detroit for each basket and went into halftime down 53-51, with Giannis leading the way with nine points.
Milwaukee got off to a fast start after halftime with a floater from Snell and a three from Khris Middleton giving the Bucks the lead and forcing Detroit into a quick timeout. Milwaukee pressed forward, increasing the lead 74-64 with a little over five minutes remaining in the third, with some help of a dominant Giannis chasedown block. Milwaukee kept their foot on the gas and capped a strong third quarter with a banked Telly three to put the Bucks ahead 86-73.
The fourth quarter was not too eventful with the bench crew of Gary Payton II, Vaughn, Brown, Mirza, and Henson starting the quarter before Henson, Mirza and Vaughn made way for Joel Anthony, Gerald Green and D.J. Wilson. Despite Detroit’s effort at a late run with their starters, Milwaukee held on and ended their final preseason game in the Bradley Center with a 107-103 win. Giannis led the Bucks with 17 points while Avery Bradley lead Detroit with 26 points.
Stat That Stood Out
Milwaukee were eager to shoot the three ball, and it paid off. Milwaukee shot 16-33 from three. It was a team effort as Thon, Mirza, Khris, and Vaughn each hit at least two threes, with Teletovic and Snell combining to hit 8-13.