Bucks Snap 9-Game Skid, Beat Pistons 104-101
GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Caron Butler scored 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter for a 104-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night that snapped a nine-game losing streak.
Brandon Knight added 16 points against the team that traded him in the offseason, while backup center Miroslav Raduljica added eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.
The Bucks trailed 76-63 in the third quarter, largely due to Brandon Jennings, who finished with 30 points.
But Butler provided a boost with his jumper in the fourth before the Bucks held on late.
Josh Smith missed two foul shots with about 5 seconds left, and Rodney Stuckey missed a desperation 3 at the buzzer to tie.
Knight, who was traded for Jennings, also had nine assists and six rebounds, while Ersan Ilyasova added 12 points.
Greg Monroe added 18 points for Detroit and Stuckey finished 23.
The last few minutes found Jennings and Knight guarding each other on the perimeter.
The Bucks came out on top, but the matchup in the last few minutes between the young guards was more of a draw.
Jennings blocked Knight with about 7 seconds left, but Smith missed two foul shots on the other end.
The Pistons had one last chance after a contested possession was ruled in favor of Detroit. The ball went to Stuckey in the corner, but his 3-point attempt harmlessly sailed into the side of the glass.
Butler had a big game on his bobblehead night in Milwaukee. The veteran from nearby Racine was 12 of 21 from the field and added seven rebounds.
A tight first half ended with the Pistons surging to a six-point lead after Josh Smith poked away a Bucks entry pass into the post off a timeout with 7.5 seconds left.
The loose ball made its way to Jennings, who hit a fallaway 3 in front of his bench to give Detroit a 56-50 lead.
NOTES: The Pistons, the NBA's top offensive rebounding team coming into the night at 14.4 per game, were outrebounded on the offensive glass, 12-9 ... Drummond finished with 11 points after averaging 18.0 against the Bucks in the teams' first two meetings this season ... Milwaukee G Luke Ridnour wore a sleeve around the right wrist he sprained on Saturday against the Spurs. ... Milwaukee used its 19th different starting lineup in its 41st game this season. ... The Bucks were without starting center Larry Sanders and veteran guard O.J. Mayo due to illness.
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