Preseason: Antetokounmpo absent, Bucks narrowly beat Pistons, Cunningham blasted 26+6+6 at halftime

On October 10, the Bucks played against the Pistons at home in the NBA preseason game. Antetokounmpo and Kuzma were absent. Cunningham blasted 26+6+6 in the first half, leading the Pistons to a 14-point lead. The Bucks fought back in the second half to chase points and took the lead at the last moment. In the end, the Pistons lost to the Bucks 111-117 and suffered their first defeat of the preseason.

Statistics

Bucks: Antetokounmpo and Kuzma are absent, Green Green scored 22 points on 5 of 5 three-pointers and 7 of 7 free throws, Portis had 11 points, and Porter scored 10 points on 4 of 4.

Pistons: Cunningham had 26 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in the half, and Osell had 11 points and 5 rebounds.

Game Review

The Pistons beat the Grizzlies 128-112 in their last preseason game. Cunningham scored 20 points in just halftime. The Bucks beat the Heat 103-93 in their last preseason game. Turner contributed 8 points and 2 blocks in his debut. The Bucks lacked Antetokounmpo and Kuzma in this game. The two sides started attacking mode in the first quarter, and the offensive efficiency of both teams was extremely high. The Pistons made 11 of 19, including 4 of 8 three-pointers, but only 5 of 10 free throws. Cunningham scored 11 points on 4 of 6. The Bucks made an efficient 11 of 17, including 7 of 10 three-pointers, but only 4 of 8 free throws. At the end of the first quarter, the Pistons trailed the Bucks 31-33.

In the second quarter of the game, the Pistons' offensive firepower greatly increased, scoring 40+ points in a single quarter, while the Bucks missed the opportunity to score 30+ points in a single quarter for two consecutive quarters. Cunningham continued to explode in the second quarter. He made 4 of 8 in a single quarter and scored 15 points, especially consecutive fouls and free throws. In the first two quarters, he had made 8 of 14, including 2 of 5 three-pointers and 8 of 8 free throws. He scored 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, leading the Pistons to a 41-27 net victory in a single quarter by 14 points. Three Bucks scored in double figures in the first two quarters, Green and Porter both scored 10 points, and Portis scored 11 points. However, at the end of the first half, the Pistons overtook the Bucks 72-60.

Back from the halftime break, after the Pistons scored 41 points in the second quarter, Cunningham had already clocked out early, causing the Rockets to lose their offensive backbone. Their offensive firepower plummeted in the third quarter and only scored 17 points, a full 24 points less than in the second quarter. The Bucks scored at least 27 points in three consecutive quarters. They used excellent offense to suppress the Pistons and recovered 12 points 29-17 in a single quarter. At the end of the three quarters, the two sides maintained 89-89. In the first three quarters of the game, Cunningham scored 26+6+6 and Osar scored 11 points. Green led the Bucks to score in double figures with 22 points.

In the final quarter of the game, the two sides continued to cling to the score and fight, and the Bucks gradually gained a weak lead. Antetokounmpo's alley-oop dunk helped the Bucks maintain a 106-102 lead. The Pistons scored consecutively to bite the score, and the Bucks were chased to 110-109 with only 1 point ahead with 1 minute and 34 seconds left. Sears scored 4 points in a row, Antetokounmpo blocked Jenkins, and Jenkins made a mid-range shot to catch up with Simon. Ryan was fouled and scored consecutive free throws to seal the victory. In the end, the Pistons lost to the Bucks 111-117 and suffered their first defeat of the preseason.

Starting lineup for both sides

Bucks: Green, Portis, Turner, Trent, Porter

Pistons: Osar, Horan, Stewart, Dunro, Cunningham

(Text/Zuiwo Fusheng)