Detroit-Milwaukee: Bucks Kick Pistons

            The Detroit Pistons dropped their second game in a row to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, 96-85. Brandon Jennings, the Bucks first round pick this summer, torched the Pistons for 24 points. Hakim Warrick was also able to exploit the Pistons to the tune of 21 points, thanks in part to taking 15 free throws and sinking 10.

            Similar to the game against Oklahoma City, the Pistons came out strong in the first half, yet fell flat after the halftime break.

The Pistons hot start can be attributed to a combination of Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey.  By the six minute mark in the first quarter the two guards had combined to shoot 5-5, giving the Pistons a comfortable 17-7 lead.

            As well as the Pistons played in the first half, they could not bring themselves back to that level after the break. Most notably was Stuckey, whose game resembled something out of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Although he looked good during the second quarter, he had a really nice series where he drove to the basket hard and missed a lay-up but managed to grab his own rebound. He then powered toward the rim again this time drawing contact and sinking the shot. He also ran the point well, racking up six assists in the first half.

His second half performance left much to be desired. He got burned by Jennings throughout the third quarter, which could just be attributed to Jennings being a streaky shooter. His lack of points and inability to draw fouls in the second half is much more concerning.

            Gordon also had trouble drawing fouls. At one point in the third he became visibly upset after drawing a heavy amount of contact on a drive and not getting a whistle. Gordon wasn’t the only Piston who displayed frustration.

Charlie Villanueva was looking to get his season on track with a trip back to his former team but came up lame in the first three quarters. He started to turn it around in the fourth, hitting two quick threes to pull the Pistons within fighting distance.

            It was all for naught though, with the Pistons offense unable to pull itself out of its second half stagnation.

            Detroit travels back home for a Tuesday match-up against last years Eastern Conference champions the Orlando Magic. Look for Richard Hamilton to be back in the line-up.