The Milwaukee Bucks led by as many as 34 points as they cruised their way on home turf to a 146-114 victory on Saturday over the last place Detroit Pistons, who have suffered their 23rd consecutive loss on the season.
Damian Lillard Scores 33 Points for Milwaukee Bucks
As he nears the 20K points all-time marker, Damian Lillard had a great Saturday night, scoring 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting through three quarters. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points with eight rebounds in the game following his franchise single-game record 64 points against the Indiana Pacers.
Per JR Radcliffe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Antetokounmpo is just 13 rebounds shy of catching up to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Bucks franchise record. He shot 7 of 9 from the field, where he set yet another Bucks Franchise record with his eighth straight game shooting 60% or better.
Have yourself a night, Bobby Portis and MarJon Beauchamp
MarJon Beauchamp made his first start of the year in place of Malik Beasley, who was sidelined Saturday due to illness. Beauchamp kicked off the game, scoring the first seven points, and had 11 overall as he helped the Bucks take care of business.
MARJON POSTER. pic.twitter.com/BsPvHKnBK2
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 16, 2023
Bobby Portis provided some strength and support off the bench, scoring a season-high 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting with 12 rebounds. The Bucks named him the player of the game on Twitter as he snatched up his third double-double of the year. Fiserv Forum was chanting for Bobby as he departed in the fourth quarter after a huge night.
“Aw man, it felt great,” Portis said via a video posted by the Bucks on Twitter.
His 31 points is his highest total since joining the Bucks back in 2020; His highest-scoring game of his career came when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls and scored 38 points against Philadelphia back in 2018.
As the Bucks are playing back-to-back games, it wasn’t unusual for Khris Middleton to sit this one out. Coach Griffin sat Middleton for Saturday’s game as part of management with his knee injury. Andre Jackson Jr. stepped in his place, playing a career-high 26 minutes, and had 10 points and eight rebounds, both of which were also career-highs for Jackson Jr.
Pat Connaughton returned to the court against the Pistons after missing the last six games due to an ankle sprain. In his 12 minutes of play, he scored six points (including a three-pointer), and four rebounds. The last game Connaughton played in was Nov. 28 against Miami and has been a contributor for the Bucks, shooting 34% from the three-point range.
The Bucks have won their 12th straight at Fiserv Forum, their last loss being against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 29. Overall this season at home, the Bucks are 13-1, though the loss against the Pacers in the In-Season Tournament Series technically counts as a home loss, we’ll say they’re 13-2 at home.
Milwaukee will play Houston on Sunday to conclude their back-to-back weekend series.
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