All season long, Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd has preached to his team about having a closer’s mentality and finishing what they’ve started. On Wednesday night, the Bucks got the opportunity to do just that against a top team and came through with a huge win.

After entering the fourth quarter tied with the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee took control. Six minutes later, a 14-1 Bucks run had given them a lead they would not relinquish, and they held on to win 104-100. Milwaukee meanwhile has now won 4-of-5 to move into a tie with Philly for fifth in the East, half a game behind fourth-place Detroit, who the Bucks sent to their fourth straight loss.

The fourth quarter surge, and the win itself, was predicated on the continued growth of the connection between Milwaukee’s young star Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly acquired star Eric Blesdoe.

Giannis recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds. While Bledsoe added 22 points. The duo combined for nearly half Milwaukee’s points in the final frame.

“Giannis and Bledsoe made some big plays down the stretch,” Coach Jason Kidd said postgame. The comfort level that those two have, in a short amount of time, understanding in the fourth quarter, it’s between those two, just being able to read the play. Bled made some big plays down the stretch. Just the confidence that those two have in one another and in the team is great. No one is panicking. We’re trying to execute the play offensively. And I thought our defense, again, was good.”

Not only did the team get to celebrate a win in Detroit, but it was a happy 23rd birthday for Antetokounmpo. He has the most points (5,364), rebounds (2,407), and assists (1,230) in Milwaukee Bucks history before turning 23 years old.

Khris Middleton also chipped in 21 points to the cause, one of six Bucks in double figures. The standout off the bench was Rashad Vaughn, who saw increased minutes due to the injuries among other members of Milwaukee’s rotation.

The result was one of Vaughn’s finest performances of his young career. In just 17 minutes, Vaughn tallied 11 points, grabbed five boards and dished out a pair of assists, putting him at +18 for the evening.

Afterward, Coach Kidd lauded the work of Vaughn and his shorthanded bench group.

“I thought our bench did a really good job of responding this evening with all the injuries that we have,” Jason said. “Vaughn took advantage. He was ready. Those guys have done a really good job of trying to stay in shape, playing against one another. And when their name is called, they’ve responded in a positive way.”

The Bucks begin a three-game homestand on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.