LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Milwaukee Bucks wiped away 18 years of frustration on Monday by beating the Detroit Pistons 127-104 to complete a four-game sweep of their first round Eastern Conference playoff series.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points as the Bucks reached the second round of the postseason for the first time since 2000-01 season when they made it all the way to the NBA semi-finals.
The top-seeded Milwaukee cruised through the first three games and after a slow start in game four they took control late at won by 23 points.
Breaking their streak of eight straight playoff exits so quickly means Milwaukee has more time prepare for their next opponent — the Boston Celtics, who are coming off a sweep of Indiana.
The Bucks matched their regular season dominance over the Pistons, winning all four games. They had met in the postseason four times with the Pistons winning them all.
Antetokounmpo had a quiet night in game three with just 14 points but he had all his weapons at his disposal in the close out game.
Milwaukee finished the third quarter with a 17-3 run, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth after the Pistons had led much of the way.
The Blake Griffin-led Pistons set an NBA record with its 14th consecutive playoff loss, a losing skid that began in 2008.
© Agence France-Presse
