Amid much pandemonium and panic among Milwaukee Bucks fans after they lost their third straight game in being swept on a three-game homestand and missing four of their five starters from last season, it appeared things were going to go off the rails! But a game against the Detroit Pistons was exactly what they needed with a 117-89 blowout win over their division rival.
It was only a seven-point lead for the Bucks after the first quarter, but they blew the doors off the Pistons in the second and never looked back. Despite missing Khris Middleton (health and safety protocols), Jrue Holiday (ankle sprain), Brook Lopez (back soreness), and Donte DiVincenzo (injury recovery), the rest of the Bucks role players stepped up around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Four of the five starters had a plus/minus rating over plus-20 as they took it to the young Pistons starters. This is the first in a stretch where Milwaukee will play six of their next seven games on the road, so picking up a win against a struggling team like the Pistons is important with how undermanned the Bucks are.
Giannis Antetokounmpo with one of his most impressive shooting performances for the Milwaukee Bucks in their win over the Detroit Pistons
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the youthful Pistons and their frontcourt to the tune of 28 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, four blocks, and a 73 percent true shooting percentage all in 26 minutes!
He did his scoring in a variety of ways, both inside and outside the paint. He hit three of his seven 3-point attempts and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. He’s had gaudier shooting lines, but with his improved shooting form, this is as impressive of a performance as I’ve seen from him shooting the ball.
His first 3-point make was far too wide open with how confident he has been shooting the ball.
3-POINT THREAT.#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/2fWAIOeaEg
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) November 2, 2021
And his final one was a very nice catch-and-shoot look that he didn’t hesitate on. Additionally, the 7-for-7 from the line continues his solid stretch of free-throw shooting, putting him up to nearly 74 percent in the early season. I’m still tentative to fully buy-in on his new shooting form and free-throw routine, but it’s certainly an encouraging stretch so far.
Giannis has been unbelievable to begin the 2021-22 season and has battled through some lingering left knee soreness while his fellow starters are out. He has needed to be at his absolute best to keep the Bucks afloat and that’s exactly what he has been.