Damian Lillard delivered an outstanding performance with 45 points and 11 assists, propelling the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 141-135 win against the Detroit Pistons during Saturday’s NBA action. His contribution was critical in this high-scoring affair, marking a memorable night for Lillard and the team.
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin praised Lillard’s performance, emphasizing his effectiveness as an all-around threat. Lillard’s achievement of scoring at least 40 points, providing 10 assists, and hitting five 3-pointers in a single game was a first in Bucks history.
“Dame was so great tonight, and he was competing on both sides of the ball,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said. “I had no idea he had 45, but he’s a rhythm player, and he definitely got into a rhythm out there. He made big shots, and that’s why he’s on this team.”
Lillard attributed his success to a strong warmup and an effective game strategy, balancing between moving the ball and seizing opportunities to attack.
“I had a good warmup and I got a couple shots to go in, so I felt good,” Lillard said. “I knew it was an important game, so I picked my spots. I moved the ball when I needed to move the ball, and I attacked when I needed to attack.”
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Giannis Antetokounmpo also played a significant role, adding 31 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists despite struggling with free throws and missing 11-22 attempts. Brook Lopez contributed 19 points to the Bucks’ victory, their fourth in the last five games.
Coach Griffin also highlighted Antetokounmpo’s impact, noting his defensive stops and aggressive play. Antetokounmpo’s ability to draw fouls was particularly beneficial, helping the team reach the bonus quickly.
“Giannis was big on both ends,” Griffin said. “He got us some stops at the start of the second half and he was aggressive with the ball and getting to the rim. When he draws fouls, he gets us to the bonus faster than a lot of teams, and that’s invaluable.”
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Detroit’s bench saw impressive performances from Alec Burks, who scored 33 points, and Ausur Thompson, who achieved a career-high of 22 points. However, Bojan Bogdanovic and Jaden Ivey were the only starters to reach double figures in scoring.
Pistons coach Monty Williams commended Burks for his scoring ability and leadership with the younger players. Despite these efforts, the Pistons faced a challenging record, with only two wins in their last 39 games, including a 28-game losing streak.
“Burks has been phenomenal. I’m trying to think of veterans who’ve been this type of player in the past,” Williams said. “His ability to score the ball and communicate with the young guys on the floor have helped us a ton.”
The game saw a critical moment when Antetokounmpo’s 9-0 run gave the Bucks a lead. However, his struggles at the free-throw line continued. Lillard, on the other hand, scored crucial points in the closing minutes to secure Milwaukee’s lead.
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Williams expressed frustration with defending against a team with 49 free throw attempts. The Pistons struggled offensively in the third quarter, but Mike Muscala’s consecutive 3-pointers in the fourth briefly gave them the lead.
“It’s hard to play defense when a team has 49 free throws,” Williams said. “I feel bad for our team because we’re trying to play good basketball and good defense.”
The game ended with the Bucks ahead, largely due to Lillard’s exceptional 31-footer at halftime and his overall performance. Griffin acknowledged the need for better 3-point defense in their next matchup, hoping to prevent the Pistons from gaining confidence in their shooting.
“We need to take better care of the 3-point line on Monday,” 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.”
