Adrian Griffin lauds the Milwaukee Bucks’ approach in the game versus struggling Detroit Pistons

"I loved our approach to it, the seriousness, the professionalism."

Jonas Panerio | Dec 18, 2023

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With a back-to-back set this weekend and the reeling Detroit Pistons being the first on deck, the Milwaukee Bucks knew they had to take care of business. And that's precisely what they did, dispatching the Pistons with a 146-114 victory at Fiserv Forum on Friday night.

Head coach Adrian Griffin was especially pleased with the effort and demeanor of his team throughout the game. "I thought our entire team had the right approach coming into this game," Griffin said.

Never judge a team by its record

The Pistons' losing streak now stands at 23 games, but Griffin said that heading into a contest, one can never discount the talent and potential of any team. In other words, it's prudent not to mess with your food, or else you might get bitten, as the Bucks sure learned during their first match-up against the Pistons—a game they won by the skin of their teeth, 120-118.

"You can never judge a team on their record. I think they got a lot of talent on that team and I love our approach of coming in and taking care of business early. The first five minutes were critical. I loved our approach to it, the seriousness, the professionalism, I thought that was huge tonight," Griffin remarked.

Highlights from tonight's WIN over the Pistons.

⚡️: @we_energies pic.twitter.com/gPu4SyHMMf
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 17, 2023

Did their work early

The Bucks' superstars did their work early, with Damian Lillard piling up 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and eight boards. Neither player was on the court in the fourth quarter, with the lead ballooning to a high of 34.

Bobby Portis, the Bucks' spark off the bench who tallied 31 points against Detroit, was glad the team took care of business early, as it can be easy to let up.

"I don't like to say it, but (sometimes in games like this), you kind of play down to the level of who you're playing and kind of take your foot off the gas and relax," Portis said.

"You let a team hang around the whole game, and then the fourth quarter, it's a close game. I like how we started from the jump and took control of the game."