With key teammates absent, Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 59 points to lead Bucks over Pistons

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure if 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 could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points for the Bucks Defeated the Detroit Pistons 127-120 in overtime. It was the most by any NBA player this season and five fewer than Antetokounmpo career high 64 last season against the Indiana Pacers.

“As a player I have seen many great games. Sitting next to Dominique (Wilkins), you obviously see a lot of great plays,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. “It’s funny how the coach thinks though. We call a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. That’s bad. I think the opposite. We have to get someone else involved in this.

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

Antetokounmpo, who made 21-of-34 field goals and 16-of-17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he’s looking to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig themselves out of their early-season hole.

On Wednesday, they played without points Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and forward Bobby Portis due to injuries.

“Coming into this game, I knew I had to be aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. “While I was doing it, it wasn’t working. We lost by 15, 18.

“In the second half, I had to keep my aggressiveness, but keep moving the ball. Now as a leader, you keep going with that energy and mentality. Sometimes you need to be able to do both.”

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

Antetokounmpo was fouled with one second left in regulation to tie the game at 111, but Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed two free throws. That gave the Bucks a reprieve, and they took advantage, going on a quick 8-0 run to open overtime, punctuated by Antetokounmpo’s 3-pointer.

“He doesn’t have consent,” Lopez said. “Just to be able to look at it for the last seven years to see what he was like tonight. I’m still seeing new things.”

Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart was called a flagrant 2 foul and ejected when he pulled Antetokounmpo’s jersey late in the third quarter. That game proved to be key as the Bucks outscored the Pistons 38-24 in the quarter and erased an 18-point deficit.

“I’ve been in that position many times in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. “I have two older brothers who pushed me to the floor, were tough with me. It doesn’t bother me anymore. All I could think about was “get up and take two free throws”.

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

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

“The first year I came to the Bucks (in 2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. “I was able to get a lot of opportunities and I was able to develop. There are not enough boys now. Instead of thinking Dame’s not here, Chris’s not here, Bobby’s not playing, we have to think Andre (Jackson) is going to play, AJ (Green) is going to play.

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

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