MILWAUKEE _ The Milwaukee Bucks made sure every Detroit Pistons shot attempt inside the arc was as tough as possible. The Bucks utilized their length and athleticism to collect 16 blocks on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Defending 3-pointers, though, was a different story and Milwaukee's inability to do that made things uncomfortably interesting.
Detroit used a fourth-quarter, 3-point barrage to erase the 13-point lead the Bucks took into the period. The Pistons, which hit 15 of 37 treys on the night, went 6 of 13 from long range in the third, setting the stage for Andre Drummond to tie the game at the free-throw line with 55 seconds left.
That's when the Bucks dug in and closed out to win their fourth game in a row, 99-95. Eric Bledsoe, who is unbeaten in his four games with the Bucks, played a major role in clinching the victory.
With 42.5 seconds left, Bledsoe broke a 93-93 tie by knocking down a jumper. At the other end, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tony Snell trapped Pistons guard Avery Bradley in the corner and coaxed a steal with Antetokounmpo coming up with the ball and getting it to Bledsoe, who was fouled and made both free throws.
After a Bradley layup, Snell converted a pair of free throws with 10.7 seconds left and Antetokounmpo claimed a steal on the ensuing inbound. Bledsoe yet again wound up with the ball and raced across the court, eluding a foul by Andre Drummond to run out the clock.
Khris Middleton carried the Bucks offensively, making tough shot after tough shot on the way to 27 points on 12-of-21 shooting to go with eight assists and six rebounds. Antetokounmpo added 21 points, six rebounds, four blocks and three steals and Bledsoe made up for an 0 for 6 start in a scoreless second half by ending the game with 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Milwaukee's 16 blocks _ two behind the franchise record and one short of tying the Bradley Center record _ got going early thanks in large part to John Henson and Antetkounmpo. The two locked down the interior early and were among the four Bucks with a pair of first-half blocks.
Henson continued his solid stretch with 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in the win.
