Fun ride in Bradley Center comes to screeching halt News Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks saw their five-game home winning streak come to a crashing halt Saturday night at the Bradley Center, where they were blown out by the Detroit Pistons, 87-76.

The Pistons broke open a close game by outscoring the Bucks, 27-11, in the third quarter and then held comfortable leads throughout the fourth.

The Bucks were booed in the fourth quarter.

Andrew Bogut had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bucks, while four players scored in double figures for the Pistons, who were coming off a two-point home victory over Oklahoma City on Friday night. The Bucks had not played since Tuesday.

Guard Charlie Bell did not play for the Milwaukee because of a knee injury and guard Rip Hamilton did not play for Detroit because of a groin injury.

Saturday's game was a huge reversal for the Bucks, who had played well at home during December and finished the month with a 5-1 record at the Bradley Center.

"Pretty much from a numbers standpoint across the board we've done better in just about everything (at home this month)," said coach Scott Skiles before Saturday's game. "Our turnovers are down, we're turning the other team over and are able to score on the break. The defense has been very good. We haven't shot the ball well every night but we've been able to score enough points so we're definitely playing better (at home). There's no question about it."

The Bucks will finish off December with games at San Antonio Tuesday and at Houston Wednesday.

The Bucks have been starting off recent games well, but they trailed after the first quarter Saturday, 27-21. The Pistons outscored Milwaukee, 8-1, to close the quarter. There were seven ties and six lead changes and the Bucks shot 38.1%.

In each of their previous six games, the Bucks had outscored their opponent in the first quarter and again in the second quarter. In every one of those six games, the Bucks held a double-digit lead at halftime.

"We like to win every quarter," said Skiles. "That's our goal to win every quarter. It doesn't happen, of course. But there are so many times in the NBA game when a team gets off to an early lead and it seems to evaporate quickly. Sometimes you get an early lead and it gets a little bit scary. Given your choice, you'd rather have the lead than fall behind and we've been fortunate in several first halves and first quarters to build nice leads for ourselves."

A short jumper by forward Tayshaun Prince opened the second quarter and gave the Pistons their biggest lead of the night. But with Rasheed Wallace on the bench with two fouls, the Bucks came back and took a 33-31 lead on a three-point play by Bogut with 6:40 remaining. A jumper by Antonio McDyess tied the game. After three more ties, a short hook shot by Amir Johnson and two free throws from Rodney Stuckey helped Detroit to a 46-44 halftime lead.

Milwaukee led, 48-46, early in the third quarter but then the Pistons gained control.

With the Bucks misfiring offensively and letting the Pistons get to the basket easily on the other end, Detroit ran off 12 straight points to take a 58-48 lead midway through the third quarter. The Bucks made two of their first nine shots and Detroit scored four baskets on lay-ups or dunks.

A three-point play by Bogut stopped the Detroit run, but the Pistons then scored nine straight to complete a 21-3 run and take a 67-51 lead. Detroit led, 73-53, in the final minute of the third quarter.