MILWAUKEE — In a jaw-dropping display of athleticism and skill, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 127-120 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The Greek Freak exploded for a staggering 59 points, marking a season-high in the NBA and the second-highest single-game total of his illustrious career, just shy of his record 64 points against Indiana last season.

Antetokounmpo showcased his all-around game, shooting 21 of 34 from the field and knocking down 16 of 17 free throws. He wasn’t just scoring; he also contributed 14 rebounds and 7 assists, heroically helping the Bucks claw back from a daunting 18-point deficit in the second half.

Brook Lopez was another force for Milwaukee, scoring 29 points to support Antetokounmpo. The Pistons fought valiantly, with Cade Cunningham leading his team with 35 points, while Malik Beasley made headlines with 26 points, impressively shooting 8 of 16 from beyond the arc.

A dramatic twist came when Pistons rookie Ron Holland II was fouled by Antetokounmpo with just one second left in regulation while the score was tied at 111. However, nerves seemed to get the better of Holland as he missed both crucial free throws, leaving the game to head into overtime.

The Pistons played without key starters Jaden Ivey, who was sidelined by a toe injury, and Tim Hardaway Jr., out for the night after receiving stitches from a head injury sustained in a previous game against Miami. Meanwhile, the Bucks were also missing players, including Damian Lillard, who remained in concussion protocol, and Bobby Portis, who is dealing with an elbow contusion.

Key Takeaways: Beasley was on fire from three-point territory, hitting 4 of 5 in the first half as Detroit shot a blistering 61.5% from deep, finishing the game with a commendable 8 of 16 from three.

Antetokounmpo was an unstoppable force early on, scoring all but two of Milwaukee's points in the first quarter, tallying 22 of the team’s 24 points while making 7 of 10 field-goal attempts and hitting all eight of his free throws.

The game’s turning point came in the third quarter, when Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart was ejected after a flagrant foul for pulling Antetokounmpo’s jersey with just over three minutes left. Antetokounmpo capitalized on the ensuing free throws, extending the momentum for the Bucks.

After this match, the Bucks have now dominated the Pistons, boasting a record of 22-1 against them since the 2018-19 season, which includes a remarkable 10 consecutive wins in their series.

Looking ahead, the Pistons will face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, while the Bucks are set to challenge the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Fans can expect more high-octane action as both teams aim to improve their standings in the competitive NBA landscape!