AUBURN HILLS, Mich. _ The NBA has discovered how tough it is deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker this season.
Add the Detroit Pistons to that list.
The Milwaukee Bucks duo combined for 54 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds on Wednesday night to run the Pistons off the Palace floor with a 119-94 thumping.
When former Pistons forward Greg Monroe nailed a 20-footer with 4:15 left to push the Bucks lead to 113-89, a smattering of boos were heard for the Pistons (15-19), who have lost five of six. The only victory came Monday night when the Cleveland Cavaliers decided to give superstar LeBron James the night off.
The night continues a disturbing trend of blowout losses. Six of the Pistons' last seven losses have come by double figures.
Tobias Harris scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his third straight strong game coming off the Pistons' bench.
Reggie Jackson scored 14 points, but failed to score in the second half against the Bucks (15-15). Andre Drummond finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
But Parker and Antetokounmpo were dominating forces. Parker scored 31 points on 13-for-18 shooting. He added nine rebounds and seven assists. Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy was shaking his head for most of the first quarter when the Bucks took a 31-28 lead behind 62 percent shooting.
Parker, one of the most improved players in the league, scored a quick 11 points to get things started for the Bucks.
Drummond was able to slip inside for 10 points and three rebounds in the first quarter.
Jackson capped an 8-0 run in the second quarter with a corner triple to give the Pistons a 42-41 lead with 5:56 remaining in the first half.
But the Bucks responded with a 19-7 run to take a 60-49 lead with 1:30 left in the first half. Parker nailed two triples during the run, and the Bucks were 7-for-11 from three-point range in the first half.
Jackson capped off a 14-point first half with a one-handed lefty dunk just before halftime to cut the Pistons' deficit to eight at 60-52.
Parker and Antetokounmpo combined for 32 points.
The Pistons' struggles continued as they trailed by 19 points late in the third quarter.
Before the game, Van Gundy said that Antetokounmpo is a definite All-Star.
"The scary thing is if he ever becomes a consistent perimeter shooter," Van Gundy said. "Hopefully I'll be retired and sitting on a porch somewhere in Florida before that happens because the guy is scary enough as it is."
