NEW YORK, United States — The
Milwaukee Bucks edged
closer to securing second seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs on Friday
with a 131–101 rout of the Detroit Pistons.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points with 13 rebounds and
eight assists as the Bucks improved to 51–30 to tighten their grip on second
place in the table.
The win leaves the Bucks in pole position to claim the
second seeding heading into Sunday’s final round of regular season fixtures.
Milwaukee will clinch the No.2 spot with a win over the
Cavaliers in Cleveland on Sunday, while the
Boston Celtics must beat the
Memphis Grizzlies in their final game to have any chance of snatching second place.
Milwaukee, who beat the Celtics in a crucial game on
Thursday, were always in control against the Pistons, owners of the second
worst record in the conference at 23–57.
The Bucks led from start-to-finish, romping into a 30–8 lead
after the first quarter and dominating thereafter, racing into a 32-point lead
at one stage in the third quarter.
Antetokounmpo was one of six Bucks players in double
figures, with
Brook Lopez finishing with 17 points and Khris Middleton 15
points.
George Hill, Pat Connaughton and Jrue Holiday all chipped in
with 10 points apiece.
In other games with play-off ramifications on Friday, the
Brooklyn Nets scored a crucial 118-107 win over Cleveland to leapfrog over the
Cavaliers into seventh place overall.
It means that if Brooklyn win their final regular-season
game on Sunday against the eliminated Indiana Pacers, the Nets will host a home
game in the play-in tournament on Tuesday — possibly against Cleveland — where
a direct route into the playoffs will be on offer.
Kevin Durant's 36-point display led the Nets to victory on
Friday, with Kyrie Irving and Bruce Brown finishing on 18 points apiece.
Brown narrowly missed a triple double, with eight assists
and 10 rebounds.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers scorers with 31 points.
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