Pistons Come Up Short 107-104

Griffin actually missed two 3s in the final 14 seconds. The Detroit star already had a triple-double after three quarters, but it was a difficult fourth for him. Griffin finished with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but he also had 10 turnovers.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 17: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket past D.J. Wilson #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Giannis Antetokounmpo was called for two quick fouls, and with 9:02 remaining in the first quarter, he went to the bench.

When he returned, there was still plenty of time for the Milwaukee star to make an impact.

"No matter how many fouls I have, I've got to be aggressive. If I get the third one, I get the third one," Antetokounmpo said. "Whenever I stop being aggressive, I don't make plays."

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks falls over Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on his way to the basket during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Antetokounmpo made plenty of plays down the stretch, finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the Bucks held on for a 107-104 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night when Blake Griffin missed a last-second 3-pointer.

"We're not going to win games by 10 turnovers and by making the poor decisions like I did down the stretch," Griffin said. "I feel bad for these guys because they played so hard and got us back in this game. I wasn't there for them tonight."

The Pistons rallied from a 15-point, third-quarter deficit and took an 89-86 lead in the fourth when Stanley Johnson connected from 3-point range. Milwaukee was up 100-99 when Eric Bledsoe of the Bucks missed three straight free throws — but Antetokounmpo briefly took over after that.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is called for a charge in the second half while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Antetokounmpo put Milwaukee up by three with a dunk, then added a three-point play and another dunk to make it 107-100.

The Pistons rallied and had the ball with a chance to tie. Griffin missed from beyond the arc, and after Jose Calderon came up with an offensive rebound, Griffin missed again.

"I was unbelievably awful tonight," Griffin said. "I thought we had a chance to tie it tonight despite everything I did."

TIP-INS

Bucks: Khris Middleton scored 22 points and Bledsoe added 17. ... Antetokounmpo actually played 6:03 in the first quarter despite the early fouls. He played 31:11 for the game.

Pistons: Andre Drummond had only 10 points to go along with his 14 rebounds and had a dunk attempt blocked by Antetokounmpo late in the first. ... Reggie Bullock scored 10 points in the first quarter and finished with a team-high 24.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 17: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons tries to get a shot off over Thon Maker #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

INJURIES

Milwaukee was without guard Malcolm Brogdon for a second straight game because of left hamstring soreness.

Ersan Ilyasova also missed the game for the Bucks with a nose contusion. The Pistons were without guard Ish Smith (right adductor tear), forward Glenn Robinson III (left ankle sprain) and forward Henry Ellenson (left ankle sprain).

IN RESERVE

D.J. Wilson, a second-year player for Milwaukee who played college basketball at nearby Michigan, came back from a G League assignment and scored a career-high nine points.

Sterling Brown also scored nine points off the bench.

"They were huge," Bucks center Brook Lopez said. "Having that kind of energy from the young fellows and having them come out with that kind of confidence, especially defensively, it's so big time. It was great that they were ready for that opportunity."

BIG QUARTER

Johnson finished with 20 points for the Pistons and made four 3-pointers, all in the fourth period.

"I thought the second unit came in and played with energy and played hard," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "They got us back into the game."

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host New Orleans on Wednesday night.

Pistons: Visit Minnesota on Wednesday night.

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