With key teammates out, Giannis Antetokounmpo soars with 59 points to lead the Bucks over the Pistons

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 points in the first quarter on Wednesday night.

But Rivers was able to smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’ 127-120 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest point total of any NBA player this season and five shy of Antetokounmpo’s career-high of 64, which he set last season against the Indiana Pacers.

“I saw a lot of great games as a player. “When you sit next to Dominique (Wilkins), you obviously see a lot of great games,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. “But it’s funny how a coach thinks. “We called a timeout and Giannis got 22 of our 24. That’s not good. I think exactly the opposite. We need to get someone else involved.

“After the game you realize how special it is. But during the game you panic.”

Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 field throws and 16 of 17 free throws and added 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is trying to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to climb out of an early-season hole .

They played Wednesday without point guard Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and forward Bobby Portis because of injuries.

“Coming into this game, I realized I had to be aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. “While I was doing that, it didn’t work. We were back at 3, 6 p.m.

“In the second half I had to keep my aggression but keep moving the ball. As a leader, continue with this energy and mentality. Sometimes you have to be able to do both.”

Brook Lopez added 29 points and Taurean Prince, Andre Jackson Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. contributed to Milwaukee’s rally.

Antetokounmpo was whistled for a foul with one second left in regulation and the score was tied at 111, but Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed two free throws. That gave the Bucks some breathing room, and they took advantage with a quick 8-0 run to open overtime, punctuated by a three-pointer from Antetokounmpo.

“He has no end in him,” Lopez said. “Just to be able to see it for the last seven years, to see what he was like tonight. I still see new things.”

Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart was whistled and ejected for a flagrant foul 2 when he pulled Antetokounmpo to the ground by his jersey late in the third quarter. That play proved crucial as the Bucks outscored the Pistons 38-24 in the quarter and erased an 18-point deficit.

“I’ve been in this situation many times in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. “I have two older brothers who pushed me to the ground and were hard on me. It doesn’t really scare me anymore. All I could think about was, ‘Get up and make two free throws.’

“At the same time it is a dangerous game. It’s not a basketball game.”

Antetokounmpo said he gave his teammates a short speech before the game.

“The first year I came to the Bucks (2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. “I had a lot of chances and was able to develop further. Boys are missing at the moment. Instead of thinking that Dame isn’t here, Khris isn’t here, Bobby isn’t playing, we should think about Andre (Jackson) going to play, AJ (Green) going to play.

“Don’t take this moment for granted. All you can do is compete and hope your teammates follow.”

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