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Detroit Pistons get blown out by Milwaukee Bucks 90-63 in opener

By Brenden Welper

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Larry Drew II #12 of the Detroit Pistons drives against Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bucks defeated the Pistons 90-63. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Larry Drew II #12 of the Detroit Pistons drives against Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bucks defeated the Pistons 90-63. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons were steamrolled by the Milwaukee Bucks 90-63 in Las Vegas on Friday night. They’ll get back to work on Saturday when they face the Memphis Grizzlies.

Luckily for the Detroit Pistons, the stat monitor was broken during their 90-63 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

So as horrible as the box score might appear, just remember: it was much worse.

The Pistons never found a rhythm offensively, or defensively, for that matter. Their first field goal came on a Khyri Thomas corner triple with 5:50 to play in the opening quarter.

Detroit managed to tie the game at eight with 2:52 left in the first. But the Bucks went on a 6-0 run to close out the period. And they’d never look back.

Milwaukee relentlessly attacked the basket, and the Pistons’ front court was clearly over-matched.

Christian Wood wreaked havoc inside, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks for the Bucks.

More of the same

Henry Ellenson‘s defensive struggles continued. He was constantly beaten by his man off the dribble, and was bullied on the glass. Fouling was his only line of defense. The forward committed three of them in first quarter alone.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1015387917026451456

The Bucks had blown the game open by halftime with a 39-22 lead. Collectively, the Pistons were atrocious. But individually, they showed some positive signs.

Bruce Brown can get to the rim at will. The penetration-heavy guard made that known almost immediately. Yet he had trouble finishing at the basket, in addition to missing several runners while also failing to draw contact.

Thomas sank a pair catch-and-shoot jumpers under duress, and the Pistons should have looked for him more often. His defense, to no surprise, was solid. But Detroit will have to get Thomas more involved moving forward.

Next: Three Pistons to watch in Summer League

For as bad as Ellenson was in the first half, he did manage to score 16 points in the second. By that point though, the game was well out of reach. Milwaukee led 60-41 at the end of the third quarter.

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