Game 2 recap: Bucks close out Pistons for 120-99 win

If it wasn't apparent the Pistons were going to have their work cut out for them against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, it is now.
The Pistons enter Game 2 of their best-of-seven NBA playoff series on Wednesday looking to bounce back from a 35-point Game 1 thumping in Milwaukee.
Forward Blake Griffin is out with a knee injury, which only makes the task more daunting.
The Pistons are in the playoffs for the second time in 10 seasons, and are seeking their first playoff victory since 2008. They've been swept out in the first round in their last two playoff appearances (to the Cavaliers in 2009 and 2016).
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Pistons down 2-0 after Bucks surge to win
The Pistons fought hard for a half, but succombed to the Bucks in Game 2 in Milwaukee 113-97.
Eric Bledsoe had 27 points to lead the way, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee.
Luke Kennard was the Pistons leading scorer for the second straight night with 19 points.
Game 3 in Saturday night in Detroit.
Bucks 120, Pistons 99; Final
Point spread only thing in question now
Giannis Antetokounmpo had an acrobatic and-1 after a fantastic Eric Bledsoe steal.
The point spread was 15 points, by the way.
Bucks 111, Pistons 92; 3:48 4th
Bledsoe, Bucks back in command
Eric Bledsoe has led the Bucks back in command after the Pistons got the lead down to single digits for a bit.
Bucks 99, Pistons 88; 7:09 4th
Bucks take command in third quarter
Shot selection has doomed the Pistons and players like Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton have taken control for the Bucks heading to the fourth.
The Pistons were outscored 35-17 in the third quarter.
Glenn Robinson III has nine points.
Bucks 93, Pistons 76; End 3rd
Griffin gets second tech this series
Blake Griffin was given a technical foul for the second straight game, despite being in a suit.
Well, he must've said something really bad...
Bucks 80, Pistons 71; 3:55 3rd
Giannis pouring it on, Bucks lead
Giannis Antetokounmpo already has nine points in the third quarter. He has 19 in the game.
The Bucks went on a 16-4 run in the third and are back in command.
Bucks 76, Pistons 67; 6:36 3rd
Giannis surges for Bucks in third
Giannis Antetokounmpo score the first seven points of the third quarter.
The Bucks are on a 9-2 run and have re-taken the lead.
Bucks 67, Pistons 61; 10:20 3rd
Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) | Twitter
Good Tweeters out there on the social medias
There have been some very good tweets from excited Pistons nation.
Check out another sampling below.
Pistons 59, Bucks 58; Halftime
Jackson, Kennard combine to give Pistons lead
The Pistons hung around in the first half, and then took the lead.
Luke Kennard is 4 for 5 from 3-point range. He has 14 points.
Reggie Jackson has 14 points including a layup with 3.8 seconds left in the half to take the lead.
Pistons 59, Bucks 58; Halftime
Giannis has three fouls
Giannis Antetokounmpo drew his third foul, and coach Mike Budenholzer elects to stay with him. Something to keep an eye on.
Bruce Brown is providing a spark for the Pistons off the bench, drawing a charge on Giannis and getting a steal and score.
Bucks 43, Pistons 40; 6:35 2nd
Pistons back in it early second
The Pistons are on a 10-1 run.
Thon Maker is showing energy and playing a little better in this one.
Wayne Ellington made a 3-pointer. He needs to get going after shooting 2-for-10 on Sunday.
Bucks 39, Pistons 36; 9:40 2nd
Bucks close first with double-digit lead
Langston Galloway knocked down a 3-pointer, but the rest of the Pistons bench is firing blanks.
Then, Glenn Robinson III knocked a triple down after missing his first two. He's showing signs of life in this one.
Eric Bledsoe has 12 points, and Khris Middleton has nine points for the Bucks. Reggie Jackson has eight points.
Bucks 38, Pistons 27; End 1st
GRIII getting early run for Pistons
Glenn Robinson III entered the game for Thon before the midway point of the first quarter.
Eric Bledsoe has 8 points to lead Milwaukee. Reggie Jackson has 8 points for the Pistons.
Aaron Rodgers is in the house for the game.
Bucks 31, Pistons 20; 4:05 1st
Better start for Pistons in Game 2
Luke Kennard got the Pistons started with a 3-pointer, giving the Pistons the early lead.
The Bucks are going after Thon Maker on Brook Lopez, which is a mismatch inside.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored two straight and-1s on consecutive possessions to help Milwaukee retake the lead.
Bucks 18, Pistons 13; 7:15 1st
Maker, Kennard in starting lineup
With Blake Griffin out once again, Thon Maker will be getting the start in Game 2 for the Pistons, presumably with some responsibilities of stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The news today is that Luke Kennard is starting in the backcourt for the Pistons after dropping 21 points on Sunday. He's replacing Bruce Brown in the starting lineup.
Kennard's stats when starting this season are not good: In 10 starts, he's averaging 7.5 points per game and shooting 38.4 percent from the field (37.5 percent from 3-point range). Off the bench in 53 games, he's got 10.2 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting (39.7 percent from 3).
Pistons vs. Bucks
Game 1: Bucks 121, Pistons 86
Game 2: Bucks 120, Pistons 99
Game 3: Bucks at Pistons, Saturday, 8 p.m. (FSD, 97.1 FM)
Game 4: Bucks at Pistons, April 22, 8 p.m. (FSD, 950 AM)
* Game 5: Pistons at Bucks, April 24
* Game 6: Bucks at Pistons, April 26
* Game 7: Pistons at Bucks, April 28
* - if necessary