Chris Middleton of the Milwaukee Box throws the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena on April 08, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)
NEW YORK – Defending champion Milwaukee Bucks came close to second place after beating the Detroit Pistons 131-101 in the Eastern Conference Playoffs on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points with 13 rebounds and eight assists as they improved to 51-30 to solidify their hold on second place in the box table.
The win puts the box in pole position and heads to the final round of Sunday’s regular season fixtures for the second seeding.
Milwaukee will move up to No. 2 with a win against the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Sunday, where the Boston Celtics will have to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in their final game to snatch a second-place finish.
Milwaukee, who beat Celtic in a crucial game on Thursday, were always in control against the Pistons, holding the second-worst record at the conference at 23-57.
Box leads from start to finish, leading 30-8 after the first quarter and then dominating, running with a 32-point lead at one point in the third quarter.
Antitoconumpo was one of six boxers in double figures, with Brooke Lopez with 17 points and Chris Middleton with 15 points.
George Hill, Pat Canton and Jaru Holiday each lead by 10 points.
gsg
Get the hottest sports news right in your inbox
Read on
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to access Philippine Daily Inquirer and 70+ other headlines, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download by 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.