With key teammates out, Giannis Antetokounmpo steps up with 59 points to lead Bucks over Pistons

But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks' 127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo's career high of 64 set last season against the Indiana Pacers.

''I've seen a lot of great games as a player. Sitting next to Dominique (Wilkins) you obviously see a lot of great games," Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. "It's funny how a coach thinks, though. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. This ain't good. I'm thinking the exact opposite. We've got to get somebody else involved in this.

Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.

''Coming into this game I realized I have to be aggressive,'' Antetokounmpo said. "While I was doing that, it was not working. We were down by 15, 18.

''In the second half, I had to keep my aggressiveness but keep on moving the ball. Now as a leader, you keep on going with that energy and mentality. Sometimes you've got to be able to do both.''

Antetokounmpo was whistled for a foul with one second left in regulation and the score tied at 111, but Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed two free throws. That gave the Bucks a reprieve and they took advantage with a quick 8-0 run to open overtime, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Antetokounmpo.

''He has no quit in him,'' Lopez said. ''Just to be able to watch it the last seven years, to see the way he was tonight. I'm still seeing new stuff.''

Detroit's Isaiah Stewart was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected when he tugged Antetokounmpo down by the jersey late in the third quarter. That play proved pivotal as the Bucks outscored the Pistons 38-24 in the quarter and erased an 18-point deficit.

''I've been in that position many times in my life,'' Antetokounmpo said. "I have two older brothers that pushed me on the floor, were tough on me. It doesn't really faze me anymore. All I could think about was 'get up and make two free throws.'

''The first year I came to the Bucks (in 2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,'' he said. "I was able to get a lot of opportunity and I was able to develop. Guys are missing right now. Instead of thinking Dame's not here, Khris is not here, Bobby is not playing, we should be thinking Andre (Jackson) is going to play, AJ (Green) is going to play.