Bucks Zone

What we learned from the Milwaukee Bucks' close win over the Detroit Pistons

It was a nice bounce-back from their deflating loss in their last game.
Jonas Panerio|
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The Milwaukee Bucks got back on track on Saturday with a 141-135 victory over the Detroit Pistons after an embarrassing 135-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their previous game. Here are two things to take away from the thrilling win.

Milwaukee’s perimeter defense woes continue as Pistons drain 21 threes

The Bucks’ inability to shut down the opposing team’s perimeter attack was on full display on Saturday as the Pistons rained down three-pointers on Milwaukee’s porous defense, making 21-of-37 for a superb 56 percent shooting clip from long distance. Alec Burks made seven three-point bombs to lead the Pistons' long-range barrage.

“We need to take better care of the 3-point line on Monday,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said.

“Will they shoot like this next time? I don't know, but we have to make sure we don't give them that confidence.”

“I just think we were overhelping on penetration,” Bucks forward Jae Crowder said regarding their perimeter defense.

“They have good guys who can get in the paint, and sometimes we had to try to help, try to stay in our principles, but I think they did a good job of just knocking down shots. They got into a rhythm. They shot 50% from three? That’s crazy. I think we were just trying to stop penetration a little bit, and we had to kind of balance later on in the game.”

Pistons' bench was outstanding

Detroit’s bench play was a huge reason why the Pistons stood toe-to-toe with the Bucks. With Alec Burks leading the way with 33 points and rookie Ausar Thompson chipping in 22, Detroit’s reserves tallied an eye-popping 85 points.

“Burks has been phenomenal. I'm trying to think of veterans who've been this type of player in the past,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said.

“His ability to score the ball and communicate with the young guys on the floor have helped us a ton.”

Griffin concurred with what his counterpart said, praising the Pistons’ veterans for helping their team stay in the game.

"They’re really talented in their second unit," Adrian said.

"Burks, Muscala, (Danilo) Gallinari, all these guys are proven veterans in the league. I know that their record is not indicative of their talent. They really have some good players over there.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO