Bucks Grades: Sharpshooting Tops Pistons 101-86

When the Detroit Pistons took a 28-21 late first quarter lead lead against the Milwaukee Bucks the 16,388 person crowd at the BMO let out a collective sigh. The Bucks set the tone from the start, using energy and execution to take an early lead, but with lackluster rebounding and ball security the Pistons gained control of the game. This had the look of yet another home loss to a sub .500 team.

And then O.J. Mayo entered the game.

Fueled by Mayo’s four three-pointers (including three consecutive, see: wow) the Bucks outscored the Pistons 40-21 in the second quarter to take a 63-49 halftime lead. But the Bucks didn’t stop there. The three point barrage continued in the second half with Middleton, Knight, Ilyasova, and Dudley all joining in the three point party, holding the Pistons to just two points in the first 6:15 of the third quarter while taking a commanding 80-51 lead.

The Pistons managed to trim Milwaukee’s lead to 24 (89-65) late in the third when Brandon Jennings went down in clear agony. Initial reaction to the injury suggests a torn achilles tendon but the Piston’s medical staff haven’t confirmed anything yet. According to Matt Fitzgerald the initial outlook is bleak for the Piston’s point guard.

The two teams played out the string in the fourth quarter with the Piston’s players looking deflated and the Bucks taking jumpers and vacating the paint. Detroit finished the game on a 13-2 run but never seriously threatened the hot-shooting Bucks in the second half.

We’re going to take a closer look at the positive and negative reactions to the game, before handing out individual grades to Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Buck’s players.

Next: The Good