Pat Connaughton explodes for a career-high 43 points
In the meaningless regular season finale, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame the Detroit Pistons in overtime, 140-133. Pat Connaughton notched a career-high 43 (!!!) points while Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 22 points, all in the first quarter. Malik Beasley led the Pistons in scoring with 23 points.
With the Bucks’ locking up the 5th seed the other night following their victory in Detroit, Doc Rivers understandably trotted out a lineup that gave a majority of the starters rest. Today’s starting five consisted of Jamaree Bouyea, AJ Green, Pat Connaughton, Kyle Kuzma, and Pete Nance. Meanwhile, Detroit went with Tim Hardaway Jr., Marcus Sasser, Tobias Harris, Ronald Holland II, and Jalen Duren.
With the added minutes, Pat Connaughton was pacing the bulk of Milwaukee’s offense to kick this one off. He quickly buried a pair of threes, separating the Bucks early on. Kyle Kuzma was also hot from the perimeter, connecting on five threes in the opening frame. He was on fire throughout the first quarter, erupting for 22 points on 8/10 shooting overall from the floor. That padded Milwaukee’s lead to a comfortable 43-25 advantage going into the second quarter.
The momentum remained on the Bucks’ side throughout the quarter. Without Cade Cunningham in the Pistons’ starting five, they were unable to muster up a dominant scoring asset to facilitate offense through. At the break, Kuz’s 22 points and Connaughton’s 19 set Milwaukee’s lead to 16 at the break, 71-55.
Detroit started to make a run in the third quarter, which could be expected. They featured more of their players that received regular minutes, slicing the Bucks’ advantage to single digits early on. However, some big buckets from Tyler Smith helped preserve Milwaukee’s lead. Going into the fourth, the Bucks held a 98-92 lead.
The Pistons finally snagged a lead at 103-101 with 6:34 left. Things remained neck-and-neck throughout the majority of the period and was all knotted up with 2:39 left in regulation. Pat Connaughton, who ended up having a career day, took over with some big shots late, along with Pete Nance. However, a Lindy Waters III three near the buzzer tied things up at 123, forcing overtime.
In overtime, it was the Pat Connaughton show. He kept scoring with ease, no matter what the Pistons threw at him. In fact, he received MVP chants at one point when he was at the line attempting free throws. When the final horn finally sounded, the Bucks put a stamp on a 140-133 victory.
Stat That Stood Out
I could go with Pat Connaughton’s career high 43 points, but how about that first quarter for Kyle Kuzma? In a game where a bulk of the starting five saw rest, Kuzma stepped up and absolutely delivered. His 22 first quarter points set the tone for this game early on and allowed him to find his shot, something that he was in desperate need of. That point total was also the most points he’s scored in a quarter since February 2019 with the Lakers. He wouldn’t see any more court time after the first quarter, but regardless of what happened after his departure, that was a performance that Bucks fans wanted to see from him.
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