© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard becomes the first player in franchise history with 40+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ threes in one game
The Milwaukee Bucks needed a historic performance from superstar guard Damian Lillard to put away the lowly Detroit Pistons, 141-135, on Saturday afternoon. With the Pistons fighting every step of the way, Lillard uncorked 45 points, highlighted by five triples and 11 assists, becoming the first Buck to register 40+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ threes in one game.
Needed every point
The Pistons waxed hot from beyond the arc and surged in front 55-46 with less than six minutes to go in the second quarter. Sensing the game was tilting the other way, Lillard took control, scoring 11 points from that point and punctuating it with a three-pointer right before the halftime buzzer. He then added 19 more points in the third to help the Bucks take a 103-98 lead heading to the fourth.
“I know how these kind of games can be,” Lillard said.
“You’re playing the same team two times in a row, and in the first half, they was believing and playing really well and shooting the ball well. I knew it was Giannis’ first game back and he was a little winded at times, so I just wanted to be a little more assertive. The ball went in a couple times in the third, and I was like, I’m going to keep the foot on the gas and try to stay on the run, and I did.”
In rhythm
The Bucks were coming off a humiliating 40-point loss in their previous game, and Lillard was determined to lead his squad to a bounce-back victory. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin praised the seven-time All-Star for doing work on both ends of the floor.
“Dame was so great tonight, and he was competing on both sides of the ball,” Griffin said.
“I had no idea he had 45, but he's a rhythm player, and he definitely got into a rhythm out there. He made big shots, and that's why he's on this team.”
“I had a good warmup, and I got a couple shots to go in, so I felt good,” Lillard added.
“I knew it was an important game, so I picked my spots. I moved the ball when I needed to move the ball, and I attacked when I needed to attack.”
