LOS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 35 points propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a 13th straight NBA victory on Wednesday, a hard-fought 127-103 win over the Pistons in Detroit.
Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, powered through a contentious encounter, pulling down six rebounds and handing out nine assists as the Bucks continued their domination of the Pistons.
The Bucks improved to 19-3 — tied for best record in the league with the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the Utah Jazz 121-96 in Salt Lake City.
Milwaukee, whose eight wins over Detroit last season included a first-round playoff sweep, have now notched two wins this season over the Pistons.
The Bucks led by 11 at halftime, and by 20 after three quarters as the Pistons proved unable to mount a challenge.
Khris Middleton added 17 points for Milwaukee and Eric Bledsoe chipped in 15.
Andre Drummond led Detroit with 23 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Antetokounmpo and Detroit’s Blake Griffin clashed early and often.
Midway through the second quarter, Griffin elbowed Antetokounmpo in the face and teammates hurried to intervene as the two exchanged words.
Antetokounmpo answered in the third with a monster block of Griffin’s layup attempt, and less than a minute later when he hit the court after a foul by Bruce Brown, Griffin angered the Bucks by stepping over Antetokounmpo’s legs.
Middleton raced over and admonished Griffin and after a lengthy review Brown, Griffin and Middleton all received technical fouls. The tough-guy posturing didn’t help the Pistons and the Bucks emerged with their longest winning streak since 1973.