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Bucks beat struggling Pistons

Jan 31, 2012 - 4:53 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Brandon Jennings led all scorers with 21 points as Milwaukee never trailed in its defeat of Detroit, 103-82, at Bradley Center on Monday.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. dropped in 20 points off the bench and Drew Gooden added 16 points as the Bucks have now won three of their last four and improved to 6-2 at home this season.

The Pistons had five players in double figures including Rodney Stuckey, who led the team with 19 points. Greg Monroe had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Tayshaun Prince added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Detroit has now lost five straight and nine of its last 10. Monday's game was Detroit's first of a back-to-back-to-back stretch.

Detroit's 1-of-9 shooting from three was starkly contrasted by a 10-of-17 performance by the Bucks, who shot over 51 percent from the field for the game.

"Obviously we want to shoot the ball well every night and when we do it gives us the ability to spread the court," said Dunleavy about his team's performance. "It's important right now for us because with [Andrew] Bogut out, we're limited in our offensive low-post ability."

All five Milwaukee starters scored in the first quarter as the Bucks jumped out to a 30-16 lead at the end of the frame.

Stuckey's three-point play with 13.7 seconds left in the half capped a 9-1 run for the Pistons as they cut the Bucks' lead to 47-41 going into the locker room, but that's as close as the Pistons got.

"They came out and hit some shots and made a run right after halftime," said Monroe. "We just have to stop those runs."

Monroe went on to say, "We have to do a better job of bringing energy. In the first and third quarters, we have to be the one making those runs against other teams."

The Bucks opened the third on a 12-2 run as a Jennings three-pointer extended the lead to 59-43 with 6:48 to go in the quarter.

Detroit had an answer as they ripped off eight straight points, closing the gap to 59-51, but the Bucks stayed hot and extended their lead to 75-60 entering the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee's 10-2 run to start the fourth put the Bucks on top 85-62 and put the game out of reach for the Pistons.

Game Notes

Milwaukee will host the Miami Heat in its next game on Wednesday and Detroit will look to bounce back against the Knicks on Tuesday... Milwaukee's Stephen Jackson did not play due to a coach's decision after missing Saturday's game for a one-game suspension...Detroit is now 1-10 on the road this season...Detroit dominated the paint, outscoring Milwaukee 40-18...Stuckey scored his 4,000th career point on a free-throw in the second quarter.