Salmons leads Milwaukee to 91-85 win over Pistons in Bucks debut

Salmons leads Milwaukee to win in Bucks debut

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — John Salmons had 18 points, including a game-clinching 3-pointer, in his Milwaukee debut as the Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 91-85 on Friday night.

Former Piston Carlos Delfino added 16 points for Milwaukee, while Ersan Ilyasova had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Milwaukee traded Joe Alexander and Hakim Warrick to Chicago for Salmons on Thursday. One night later, he helped the Bucks overcome Brandon Jennings’ 1-for-13 shooting night.

Richard Hamilton scored 29 points to lead Detroit.

Salmons hit a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left to give Milwaukee an 88-84 lead. Rodney Stuckey made one of two free throws, and then Jennings sealed it from the line.

Detroit, normally a poor-shooting team, hit its first 11 shots before Hamilton missed a 17-foot jumper with 3:05 left in the first quarter. That helped the Pistons build a 25-12 lead, but Milwaukee was back in front early in the second period.

Milwaukee led 50-46 at the half, helped by 10 second-quarter points from Jerry Stackhouse, and were ahead by as many as 10 in the third.

Detroit narrowed the gap to 81-80 with four minutes left, and Jennings missed a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Pistons in it. Ilyasova hit an off-balance jumper with 1:47 left, but Stuckey’s steal and layup put Detroit back within a point.

NOTES: Hamilton and Luc Mbah a Moute picked up technicals for trash-talking early in the third quarter. … The Pistons didn’t attempt a 3-point shot until Jonas Jerebko missed late in the third quarter. … Newly acquired Primoz Brezec and Royal Ivey were both inactive for Milwaukee.