Milwaukee — The Detroit Pistons ended their regular season in a 140-133 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at Fiserv Forum.
Malik Beasley played the most minutes of all players in coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s regular lineup, totaling 19 minutes while scoring a team-high 23 points with seven made 3-point field goals. Beasley scored nine points in the third quarter, helping the Pistons overcome a 16-point deficit. By the 3:22 mark of the period, Detroit trailed 87-82.
BOX SCORE: Bucks 140, Pistons 133 (OT)
The Bucks also were short-handed, missing several of their core players, including two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pat Connaughton notched a career-best 43 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. However, Milwaukee managed to find a rhythm thanks to Kyle Kuzma’s impressive start. He scored all 22 of his points in the first quarter while shooting 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
The Pistons’ comeback pulled them within 101-100 with seven minutes remaining. At the 6:34 mark of the period, Marcus Sasser scored a 3-point field goal to give the Pistons a two-point lead (103-101). He later connected on an And-1 basket that tied the game at 112 by the 3:30 mark. Sasser finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists.
However, Connaughton scored six points over Milwaukee’s next four possessions. Bobi Klintman (15 points and six assists) scored a clutch 3-point field goal that brought Detroit within two points (122-120) with 8.9 seconds left. After Jamaree Bouyea split his free-throw attempt, Lindy Waters III (18 points) scored a 3-point basket to tie the game at 123.
Although Detroit entered overtime with all the momentum, Connaughton scored five points during the period to put the game out of reach.
Up next
The Pistons will begin the first round of the 2025 Eastern Conference playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This will be the Pistons’ first playoff game since 2019. Dates and tip-off time are TBD.
@cotydavis_24
