The Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks kicked off their NBA Cup campaigns on a positive note and will face each other on Wednesday night in Milwaukee, aiming to continue their success.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff described his team’s recent stretch of close games as “madness.” The Pistons have split their past four games, with a total margin of just six points.
Detroit lost by one point to Charlotte last Wednesday and secured a one-point win over Atlanta two nights later, thanks to Cade Cunningham’s clutch basket and last-second block. They then suffered a two-point loss to Houston on Sunday after failing to capitalize on two deliberately missed free throws. This was followed by a 123-121 overtime victory against Miami on Tuesday.
Heat star Tyler Herro missed a buzzer-beating base jumper at the end of regulation but sank a 6-footer with 1.1 seconds left in overtime. The Pistons tied the game after Jalen Duren converted Cunningham’s inbound lob, and Malik Beasley sealed the win by making two free throws after the Heat called an illegal timeout.
Cunningham finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, nearly achieving a triple-double, while Beasley scored 21 points, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. However, the game wasn’t without its challenges. Jaden Ivey fouled out, and Tim Hardaway Jr. was taken off the court in a wheelchair and treated for a head injury after colliding with Herro twice. Hardaway’s playing status remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee regained some form with a 99-85 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points, and Bobby Portis added 17 off the bench for the Bucks, who were without star guard Damian Lillard (concussion protocol).
AJ Green made his first start since his rookie season, and Ryan Rollins had the first start of his career. Between them, they made eight 3-pointers and had seven steals, although Rollins’ night ended early due to a left shoulder injury.
The Bucks recorded 16 steals in their best defensive performance of the season and attempted 56 shots from 3-point range, much to the delight of coach Doc Rivers.
