Detroit Pistons (58-22) beat Milwaukee Bucks (31-49) 137-111 at home on Wednesday, April 8. The final margin was 26 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pistons struck first, taking the opening quarter 34-28 and a 6-point lead after one. The Pistons kept the pressure on with a 41-29 second quarter, carrying a 18-point lead into halftime.
The Pistons won the third 37-29 to create some separation, taking a 26-point lead into the fourth. The teams matched each other with 25 points apiece in the fourth quarter, and the Pistons closed regulation with a 137-111 lead.
Why it was lopsided
The Pistons got more from their shots, finishing at 65.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 51.7% for the Bucks. The Pistons grabbed 44.1% of their own misses, while the Bucks recovered 29.5%. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 142.3 points per 100 possessions to 115.3 for the Bucks.
The Pistons' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 63-32.
Who stood out
Jalen Duren was the game's biggest individual force for DET: 21 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast on 8-9 shooting. His Game Score of 23.6 led everyone. His team was +24 with him on the floor.
Jericho Sims led the Bucks with 11 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast on 3-6 shooting, good for a 17.9 Game Score.
Cade Cunningham (13 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast) and Jericho Sims (11 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 92% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Milwaukee Bucks lead 5-2.
The Pistons are now 58-22, and the Bucks are 31-49. The Pistons last five before this game: L-W-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.