The Milwaukee Bucks (49-32) locked up the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 125-119 win over the Detroit Pistons (44-37) on Friday, April 11, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 11th triple-double of the season.
Antetokounmpo delivered 32 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds — setting a new career high for triple-doubles in a season — to lift the Bucks to their seventh straight win. Milwaukee will now face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, a rematch of last year’s series that ended in a first-round exit for the Bucks.
Bobby Portis Jr. added 17 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Porter Jr. scored 16, Brook Lopez finished with 15 points and seven boards, and Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 10. A.J. Green hit a key 3-pointer with 1:51 remaining to give Milwaukee a nine-point cushion and help seal the win.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 36 points on an efficient 15-of-21 shooting night. Detroit, which secured the No. 6 seed and its first postseason appearance since 2019, will take on the No. 3 seed New York Knicks in the opening round. The Pistons are seeking their first playoff win since 2008.
Tobias Harris scored 17 points, Malik Beasley had 21 off the bench, and Jalen Duren posted 11 points and 16 rebounds. Dennis Schroder and Ausar Thompson each added 11 for Detroit.
The Bucks, who were without Antetokounmpo in last year’s playoffs due to a calf injury, are optimistic heading into the postseason. The two-time MVP has played in 67 of 81 games this year, drawing praise from head coach Doc Rivers for his conditioning and leadership.
The Bucks and Pistons will wrap up the regular season on Sunday, April 13, in Milwaukee.
