Pistons blow big lead vs Bucks after early Giannis Antetokounmpo injury

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MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was the subject of trade rumors hours before opening tip-off, suffered a right calf strain at the nine-minute mark of the opening quarter and missed the remainder of the game. The Detroit Pistons pounced, building an early 18-point lead as the Bucks opened the game shooting 1-for-13. But it didn't last.

The Pistons lost to the Bucks at Fiserv Forum, 113-109, to fall to 17-5 overall on the season. Down 109-108 in the final minute of the game, Jalen Duren fouled out after sending Ryan Rollins to the line with 13.5 seconds left. He made both, and Cade Cunningham air-balled a game-tying 3-point attempt. They were without Duncan Robinson (right ankle sprain) for the second game in a row.

Tobias Harris led the team with 20 points, and Cunningham added 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Jaden Ivey scored a season-high 15 points. The Pistons were outscored, 35-24, in the final period and allowed Milwaukee to shoot 53.5% in the second half.

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The Bucks outscored the Pistons, 28-22, in the second quarter as the Pistons shot 8-for-25 (32%) from the field. Milwaukee closed the first half with a 12-3 run, capped with a four-point play from Kevin Porter Jr. The Bucks extended the run to 23-7 to lead off the second half, briefly taking the lead, 56-55, early in the third period.

It was an off night for the Pistons, who struggled to sustain runs as the Bucks repeatedly battled back. A 20-9 run rebuilt the lead back to double digits, but Milwaukee received a boost after Isaiah Stewart was ejected late in the third quarter following a verbal exchange with Bobby Portis that ended with Stewart raising his fist. Both players received technical fouls after the exchange, but it was Stewart’s second, prompting the automatic ejection.

The Bucks took the lead again midway through the fourth quarter, 97-95, after a pair of Pistons turnovers and a pair of tough 3-pointers from AJ Green. With 1:34 remaining, Bucks big man Jericho Sims completed a 3-point play to put the Bucks back on top for good, 109-108.

Ivey has season-best performance

It was a season-high in points (15) and minutes (19) for Ivey, who also played five minutes and 27 minutes in the fourth quarter as the Pistons tried to hang on for a win. The performance came after Ivey made his season debut on the road against the Bucks two weeks ago on Nov. 22.

Slowly but surely, the fourth-year guard is rounding back into form after missing 11 months with a broken left fibula and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He also grabbed six rebounds, capitalizing on his first game crossing the 15-minute threshold.

Pistons struggling from deep without Robinson

After making just five of their 26 attempts (19.2%) during Monday's home win over the Atlanta Hawks — their worst percentage of the season — the Pistons went 14-for-43 (32.6%) in Milwaukee. They miss their best shooter, who is shooting 40.1% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game.

Harris carried the Pistons' spacing efforts, making five of his eight attempts from deep. Ivey and Javonte Green also hit two 3-pointers apiece.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves early with injury, Pistons lose to Bucks