A Tale of Two Halves: Pistons’ Blazing Start Fizzles in Milwaukee
Ten minutes into the game, I was thinking, “OK, this thing is a blowout.” The Milwaukee Bucks, however, weren’t nearly as convinced. What started as a statement road win in the making for the Pistons ended in a frustrating 113-109 loss. And for a team that’s spent the season proving it belongs among the East’s contenders, this one stings not just because of the collapse — but because Detroit squandered a golden opportunity the moment Milwaukee’s biggest weapon left the floor.
Just minutes into the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo exited after only three minutes of action, dealing with right calf tightness. Milwaukee announced he would not return, instantly shifting the landscape of the night. No superstar in the league bends a game the way Giannis does, and his absence should have tilted the advantage sharply toward Detroit.
Instead, the opposite happened.
For all the Pistons did right early, they failed to take advantage of a Giannis-less Bucks team — and that might be the biggest crime of the entire night.
Detroit exploded out of the gate, sprinting to a 27-9 lead and playing with the poise and swagger of a first-place team. Even heading into the fourth quarter, holding an 85-78 advantage, it felt like the Pistons were cruising toward an easy “take care of business” win against a wounded opponent. But as the night unfolded, Milwaukee showed resilience… and Detroit showed cracks.
Key Performances Not Enough
Several Pistons delivered solid efforts. Tobias Harris had 20, Cade Cunningham added 17, Jaden Ivey scored 15, and Ausar Thompson reached double figures with 10. But once Giannis left, it wasn’t Milwaukee’s stars who carried the load — it was Kevin Porter Jr. and A.J. Green, who combined for 45 points and 8 made threes, punishing Detroit repeatedly from deep.
The Pistons had every advantage in the world. They just didn’t seize it.
This loss also marked the second straight game where Cade Cunningham failed to crack 20 points — a rare dip for the Pistons’ engine. Milwaukee’s defense clearly had a plan: apply pressure the moment he crossed half court, trap him on ball screens, and force the ball out of his hands. Cade looked fatigued at times — and honestly, it’s understandable. He’s carried so much of the offensive burden this season.
A lot of his misses were short, front-rim shots — often a sign of tired legs. Or maybe the Bucks’ defenders were simply that effective. Either way, it’s something to monitor.
Fans on social media echoed the same concern:
“If Cade doesn’t go nuclear, can this team win?”
That critique applies to plenty of NBA teams with a singular star… but there’s truth in it. On a night the Bucks proved they could win without their MVP, Detroit couldn’t do the same.
A Pivotal Moment
A key turning point came late in the third quarter when Isaiah Stewart was ejected after his second technical foul in a heated exchange with Bobby Portis. Losing Stewart’s physical presence in a tight road game was a blow, especially with Duncan Robinson and Bobi Klintman already out and Marcus Sasser away with the G League affiliate. With Giannis sidelined, this was a game where Detroit needed to keep its composure — and didn’t.
The Big Picture: Don’t Panic
Context still matters. Under J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons have transformed into one of the NBA’s most well-rounded teams:
- 2nd in defensive rating
- 5th in rebounding
- 12th in offensive rating
- 5th in net rating
These numbers aren’t flukes. They’re evidence of a contender building something real.
Cade Cunningham continues to perform at an MVP level across the season, even with this slight offensive dip. Named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for both October and November, he’s averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. Bickerstaff’s Coach of the Month honor reflects how well this roster has bought in.
Despite this loss, the foundation is still strong.
Looking Ahead
Detroit returns home Friday, December 5, to host the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by an immediate rematch with these same Bucks on Saturday. These next two games will test Detroit’s resilience — both as a team and individually for stars like Cade.
One loss doesn’t define a season. But how the Pistons respond to a night where they let a golden opportunity slip away might say something about where they’re headed next.
What was your biggest disappointment from last night’s game? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
