MILWAUKEE – In a commanding display of basketball prowess, the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Damian Lillard’s explosive start and Bobby Portis’ season-high performance, decimated the Detroit Pistons 146-114 on Saturday. This overwhelming victory handed the Pistons their 23rd consecutive loss, tying the NBA’s third-longest losing streak within a single season.
The Bucks, matching their highest point tally of the season, established their dominance early, accruing a formidable 24-point lead in the first quarter. Lillard was particularly instrumental, scoring 13 consecutive points for Milwaukee in a late first-quarter surge, finishing the game with a remarkable 33 points.
Portis, not to be outdone, tallied a season-high 31 points and 12 rebounds, acknowledging the potential trap game but praising the team’s relentless approach. “I like how we kind of started from the jump, jumped on them early and kind of controlled the game throughout,” Portis reflected.
Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed significantly with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, showcasing efficiency by shooting 7 of 9. This performance followed his record-breaking 64-point game against the Indiana Pacers, an event marred by a postgame confrontation over the game ball.
Adrian Griffin, the Bucks coach, commended the leadership shown by the team, emphasizing the serious approach taken from the locker room to the court.
The Pistons, now sharing a dubious place in history with the 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies, 1997-98 Denver Nuggets, and 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats, are reeling from their 23-game losing streak. The league record for the longest losing streak within a single season is 26 games, a mark held by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers.
Detroit’s struggle was evident from the onset. Coach Monty Williams expressed his frustration, particularly with the team’s lack of consistent grit and toughness. For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham managed 25 points and Bojan Bogdanovic added 24, but their efforts were overshadowed by Milwaukee’s dominance.
The Bucks, even without Malik Beasley and Khris Middleton, showed their depth. MarJon Beauchamp, in his first start of the season, immediately made an impact, scoring the game’s first seven points. Portis’ 31-point feat was his highest since joining the Bucks in 2020, reminding fans of his career-high 38 points scored for the Chicago Bulls in 2018.
Bucks rookies also shone, with Beauchamp and Cameron Payne scoring 11 points each, and Andre Jackson Jr. achieving career highs with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Pistons hope to rebound against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, while the Bucks host the Houston Rockets on Sunday, hoping to maintain their formidable form.
