Giannis expects physical, dirty play when facing Pistons

Tempers flared during Wednesday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks after Blake Griffin stepped over Giannis Antetokounmpo following a foul call.

Bucks forward Khris Middleton quickly took exception to Griffin's actions, but Antetokounmpo restrained himself from retaliating.

"They're just a great defensive team and just play really physical," Antetokounmpo told reporters postgame, according to ESPN. "They want to be physical, they want to be dirty. They want you to get out of your game, and whenever you come in Detroit, you expect that."

Wednesday's matchup was a chippy affair between the two sides, as six technical fouls were called.

Griffin and Antetokounmpo were also involved in a collision during the second quarter.

The reigning MVP initially thought about getting back at the Pistons before thinking better of it.

"At first, I was trying to ... talk back, let them know that this is more than basketball. We can stop playing basketball and we can fight," Antetokounmpo said. "At the end of the day, my teammates want me in the game, my teammates want me to keep my head in the game, and I was like, whatever. At this point, whatever."

Antetokounmpo got the last laugh as the Bucks cruised past the Pistons 127-103 for their 13th straight victory.