Detroit Pistons Vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/16/23)
It will be the second night of a road back-to-back for the struggling Detroit Pistons, a team that has lost 22 consecutive basketball games. Will the Pistons break the slump against the Milwaukee Bucks, who have won 12 of their 14 games at home this season? See our Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks predictions, best bets, and in-depth analysis below!
Detroit Pistons Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The Pistons’ game versus Milwaukee last night was a 16-point spread; they lost by 32 points, scoring merely 92 points on 4-for-21 shooting from behind the arc. Detroit also committed a horrific 21 turnovers and were outrebounded by double-digits. The most surprising stat of the night was that Detroit actually outscored the Sixers in the paint and still couldn’t keep the game within a reasonable margin.
The storm doesn’t seem like it will end for Detroit, either. Marvin Bagley III and Jalen Duren will be out a while longer, making the Pistons’ frontcourt impossibly thin.
As for the Milwaukee Bucks, their season has turned around completely after an understandably slow start to the 2023-24 campaign. In their past 20 games, Milwaukee has a 15-5 record, with the sixth-best net rating and third-highest offensive rating in the league in that span. Further, Giannis Antetokounmpo is fresh off a career night against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 64 points (a franchise record) in a double-digit win.
Milwaukee has the rest advantage in this one, as it last played on Wednesday at home and will host Detroit at home in this one, too. The Pistons just finished playing on the road in Philadelphia and must travel back to Milwaukee for a second road game in just as many days.
There are several reasons why Detroit is doomed in this game. First, the biggest weakness that the Milwaukee Bucks have is their perimeter defense, particularly Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley; they have one of the worst point-of-attack defenses in the NBA. However, Detroit is shooting a putrid 33.4% from behind the arc as a team this season, which is 29th in the NBA. Therefore, Milwaukee can go under virtually every screen, sag off the Pistons’ guards, and avoid blow-bys that way.
On the other end of the floor, Detroit allows the most points to opposing point guards in the NBA, giving Damian Lillard the cleanest runway to come off of high ball screens and knock down three-pointers or even get all the way into the paint where the Pistons have no size with Duren and Bagley sidelined.
Further, Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-foot-11) and Brook Lopez (7-foot-1) make up one of the largest frontcourts in the league, with physical, bruising power forward Bobby Portis (6-foot-10) coming off the bench. Detroit must lean on Isaiah Stewart (6-foot-8) and Ausar Thompson (6-foot-6) to protect the paint.
With Lopez’s three-point shooting, which helps to spread the floor, Giannis will have an inordinate amount of room to work in isolation and get to the rim for simple finishes due to his size, quickness, length, and athleticism. This matchup is a nightmare.
Between Detroit’s current play and organizational climate, as well as being on the second night of a road back-to-back and being severely undermanned in the frontcourt, we can’t possibly justify backing it in this spot.
Detroit Pistons Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction: Bucks -17.5 (-110)
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Detroit Pistons Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Best Odds
The Milwaukee Bucks are ginormous 17.5-point home favorites on Saturday night against Detroit in Fiserv Forum. The Pistons have Moneyline odds of +1100 to secure what would be the biggest upset in the NBA this season, while Milwaukee’s odds are at -2500 to win outright. The point total hangs around 240.5 points, with -110 odds for both the Over and Under; however, the line could move slightly, leading to tip-off if there are any late scratches for either team.
Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Killian Hayes
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
PF: Ausar Thompson
C: Isaiah Stewart
Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Andre Jackson Jr.
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Detroit Pistons Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Injuries
Unless there is a late scratch for Milwaukee leading up to tip-off, everyone should be available except for Khris Middleton (rest) and Jae Crowder (abdominal.) Much like last night, the Detroit Pistons will still be without Monte Morris (quad), Jalen Duren (ankle), and Marvin Bagley III (back.)
