With key teammates out, Giannis Antetokounmpo steps up with 59 points to lead Bucks over Pistons

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 Wednesday night.

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

“I’ve seen a lot of great games as a player. When you sit next to Dominique (Wilkins), obviously you see a lot of great games,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. “It’s fun though, how a coach thinks. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. That’s not good. I think the exact opposite. We need to get someone else involved in this.

“After the game you realize how special this is. But during the game you are in a panic.”

Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of a hole in the early season.

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

“Coming into this game, I realized I had to be aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. “As I was doing it, it wasn’t working. We were down 15, 18.

“In the second half I had to keep my aggressiveness but keep moving the ball. Now as a manager you continue with that 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 fouled 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 a reprieve, and they took advantage with a quick 8-0 run to open overtime, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Antetokounmpo.

“He doesn’t quit,” Lopez said. “Just to be able to see that the last seven years, to see how he was tonight. I’m still seeing new things.”

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

“I’ve been in that position a lot of times in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. “I have two older brothers who pushed me to the floor and were tough on me. It doesn’t really worry me anymore. All I could think about was ‘get up and make two free throws.’

“At the same time, it’s 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 (in 2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. “I got a lot of opportunities and I was able to develop. Guys are missing right now. Instead of thinking Dame isn’t here, Khris isn’t here, Bobby isn’t playing, we should 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 follow suit.”

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