Game 2 recap: Bucks close out Pistons for 120-99 win

By Matt Schoch
The Detroit News
Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of Game 2 on Wednesday in Milwaukee.

If it wasn't apparent the Pistons were going to have their work cut out for them against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, it is now.

The Pistons enter Game 2 of their best-of-seven NBA playoff series on Wednesday looking to bounce back from a 35-point Game 1 thumping in Milwaukee.

Forward Blake Griffin is out with a knee injury, which only makes the task more daunting.

The Pistons are in the playoffs for the second time in 10 seasons, and are seeking their first playoff victory since 2008. They've been swept out in the first round in their last two playoff appearances (to the Cavaliers in 2009 and 2016).

Follow along here for live updates.

Pistons down 2-0 after Bucks surge to win

The Pistons fought hard for a half, but succombed to the Bucks in Game 2 in Milwaukee 113-97.

Eric Bledsoe had 27 points to lead the way, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee.

Luke Kennard was the Pistons leading scorer for the second straight night with 19 points.

Game 3 in Saturday night in Detroit.

Bucks 120, Pistons 99; Final

Point spread only thing in question now

Giannis Antetokounmpo had an acrobatic and-1 after a fantastic Eric Bledsoe steal.

The point spread was 15 points, by the way.

Bucks 111, Pistons 92; 3:48 4th

Bledsoe, Bucks back in command

Eric Bledsoe has led the Bucks back in command after the Pistons got the lead down to single digits for a bit.

Bucks 99, Pistons 88; 7:09 4th

Bucks take command in third quarter

Shot selection has doomed the Pistons and players like Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton have taken control for the Bucks heading to the fourth.

The Pistons were outscored 35-17 in the third quarter.

Glenn Robinson III has nine points.

Bucks 93, Pistons 76; End 3rd

Griffin gets second tech this series

Blake Griffin was given a technical foul for the second straight game, despite being in a suit.

Well, he must've said something really bad...

Bucks 80, Pistons 71; 3:55 3rd

Giannis pouring it on, Bucks lead

Giannis Antetokounmpo already has nine points in the third quarter. He has 19 in the game.

The Bucks went on a 16-4 run in the third and are back in command.

Bucks 76, Pistons 67; 6:36 3rd

Giannis surges for Bucks in third

Giannis Antetokounmpo score the first seven points of the third quarter.

The Bucks are on a 9-2 run and have re-taken the lead.

Bucks 67, Pistons 61; 10:20 3rd

Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) | Twitter

Good Tweeters out there on the social medias

There have been some very good tweets from excited Pistons nation.

Check out another sampling below.

Pistons 59, Bucks 58; Halftime

Jackson, Kennard combine to give Pistons lead

The Pistons hung around in the first half, and then took the lead.

Luke Kennard is 4 for 5 from 3-point range. He has 14 points.

Reggie Jackson has 14 points including a layup with 3.8 seconds left in the half to take the lead.

Pistons 59, Bucks 58; Halftime

Giannis has three fouls

Giannis Antetokounmpo drew his third foul, and coach Mike Budenholzer elects to stay with him. Something to keep an eye on.

Bruce Brown is providing a spark for the Pistons off the bench, drawing a charge on Giannis and getting a steal and score.

Bucks 43, Pistons 40; 6:35 2nd

Pistons back in it early second

The Pistons are on a 10-1 run.

Thon Maker is showing energy and playing a little better in this one.

Wayne Ellington made a 3-pointer. He needs to get going after shooting 2-for-10 on Sunday.

Bucks 39, Pistons 36; 9:40 2nd

Bucks close first with double-digit lead

Langston Galloway knocked down a 3-pointer, but the rest of the Pistons bench is firing blanks.

Then, Glenn Robinson III knocked a triple down after missing his first two. He's showing signs of life in this one.

Eric Bledsoe has 12 points, and Khris Middleton has nine points for the Bucks. Reggie Jackson has eight points.

Bucks 38, Pistons 27; End 1st

GRIII getting early run for Pistons

Glenn Robinson III entered the game for Thon before the midway point of the first quarter.

Eric Bledsoe has 8 points to lead Milwaukee. Reggie Jackson has 8 points for the Pistons.

Aaron Rodgers is in the house for the game.

Bucks 31, Pistons 20; 4:05 1st

Better start for Pistons in Game 2

Luke Kennard got the Pistons started with a 3-pointer, giving the Pistons the early lead.

The Bucks are going after Thon Maker on Brook Lopez, which is a mismatch inside.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored two straight and-1s on consecutive possessions to help Milwaukee retake the lead.

Bucks 18, Pistons 13; 7:15 1st

Maker, Kennard in starting lineup

With Blake Griffin out once again, Thon Maker will be getting the start in Game 2 for the Pistons, presumably with some responsibilities of stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The news today is that Luke Kennard is starting in the backcourt for the Pistons after dropping 21 points on Sunday. He's replacing Bruce Brown in the starting lineup.

Kennard's stats when starting this season are not good: In 10 starts, he's averaging 7.5 points per game and shooting 38.4 percent from the field (37.5 percent from 3-point range). Off the bench in 53 games, he's got 10.2 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting (39.7 percent from 3).

Pistons vs. Bucks

Game 1: Bucks 121, Pistons 86

Game 2: Bucks 120, Pistons 99

Game 3: Bucks at Pistons, Saturday, 8 p.m. (FSD, 97.1 FM)

Game 4: Bucks at Pistons, April 22, 8 p.m. (FSD, 950 AM)

* Game 5: Pistons at Bucks, April 24

* Game 6: Bucks at Pistons, April 26

* Game 7: Pistons at Bucks, April 28

* - if necessary