Pistons 102, Bucks 91
MILWAUKEE -- A 26-point effort from shooting guard Khris Middleton wasn't enough for the Milwaukee Bucks, who fell 102-91 to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night at the Bradley Center.
Middleton hit 11 of 20 shots with a pair of 3-pointers and centers Miles Plumlee and Greg Monroe scored 10 points each for the Bucks, who shot 48 percent from the field and made 6 of 11 3-pointers but gave up 23 points on 21 turnovers.
The Pistons only shot 42 percent for the game but capitalized on Milwaukee's carelessness and also made a huge dent at the free-throw line, where they were 16 of 24.
Guard Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 22 points while forward Marcus Morris added 20 and center Andre Drummond finished with 15.
Drummond got started early, scoring 10 points with nine rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in the first quarter as the Pistons built up a 10-point lead.
Twenty-third in the league in 3-point shooting coming into the game, Detroit knocked down its first six attempts and went 11 of 19 from long distance in the first half.
Those extra points made a big difference, as Milwaukee shot 54 percent from the field while Detroit was just 23-for-52 but still able to hold a 59-49 lead at half.
Steve Novak, who the Bucks signed earlier in the week, had to be helped off the floor after injuring his left knee while colliding with Jackson late in the fourth quarter.
NOTES: Saturday marked the first in a five-game homestand for the Bucks, who will play 16 of their final 24 games at the Bradley Center. Detroit was without G Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle) and F Anthony Tolliver (knee). ... G Jerryd Bayless (sprained right knee) and F John Henson (sore back) remained sidelined for the Bucks. ... Pistons F Tobias Harris spent his first 1 1/2 seasons with the Bucks, who acquired him in a draft-day deal with Charlotte in 2011. He was dealt to Orlando in exchange for J.J. Redick at the deadline in 2013 after averaging 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 70 games. ... Milwaukee's largest victory of the season came against the Pistons, a 109-88 decision on Nov. 23. ... The teams have played twice in 2015-16, with each side winning on its own home court.