The Milwaukee Bucks once again played gritty basketball against one of the most proven teams in the NBA.

Playing hard-nosed basketball against the first-place team in the East, the Detroit Pistons, they were not triumphant, but fell valiantly, to the tune of 112-105 loss.

But that’s OK.

The Pistons, who were the NBA champions of 2003-2004 and almost repeat in the 2005-2006 season, are a much more seasoned team. As a unit they have been together far longer than the new Bucks, and their payroll is much higher.

This is only the beginning for the Bucks. This is their first year playing together as a unit. This is encouraging, because the team can only get better. Now is the beginning. The Bucks are building a lot of steam as they charge toward the playoffs and look fantastic doing so.

As a sleeper in the East for years, the Bucks are on the rise. In the game, which was played in Detroit, the Pistons attempted 14 more free throws than the Bucks and only won by seven. Detroit shot 31 free throws to the Bucks’ 17.

The Bucks did show some early signs of promise. They led in both the first and second quarters and went to the locker room with a 14-point lead, 59-45.

Halftime was the last time they would end with a lead. The third and fourth quarters were a back-and-forth match, but for the most part led by Detroit.

When the Pistons scored their 100th point, it seemed the Bucks were doomed. The Pistons, whose overall record is 58-14, are 26-2 when they reach above the 100-point mark. But the Bucks did not quit.

With 2 minutes, 25 seconds left, the Bucks took the lead when it seemed almost impossible to do so. For the next 2:08 it looked like they actually had a chance. Michael Redd added excitement battling for boards under the offensive backboard and some other Bucks hit key shots to continue the gritty back and forth play.

However, with .17 seconds left in the game, Tayshaun Prince of the Pistons delivered the dagger. Hitting a jump shot that stung as it pierced the net, the game was over.

After coming off his career best game, Charlie Bell once again played phenomenal basketball. He added 16 points and three assists to Redd and Maurice Williams’ combined 52.

The Bucks look to be at least a seven seed when they enter the playoffs this year.

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