The Bucks are looking to bounce back after consecutive defeats, while Detroit returns home from a three-game road trip. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons
Spread: Detroit Pistons -2 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 205 (-110)
The Bucks are hoping to respond following two straight losses
The Milwaukee Bucks are traveling to the Motown for the second road tilt in a row after a narrow 121:126 loss at Charlotte. The Bucks have been in a hot and cold form thus far, and they are entirely unpredictable, so I am sure this one will be another tight affair.
Milwaukee had a decent shot from the field (49.5%), while they hit terrific 19 threes on 36 attempts (52.8%), but the Hornets were also excellent, and in a great shooting mood, so the Bucks couldn’t avoid a defeat despite scoring season-high 121 points. Khris Middleton exploded for career-high 43 points (15-28 FG, 5-11 3PT, 8-10 FT), along with seven assists, five rebounds, and no turnovers. Middleton responded spectacularly after underperforming in the previous match against Oklahoma when he scored just nine points. Malcolm Brogdon added 20 points and four dishes, Tony Snell contributed with 17, while Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a double-double of 14 points and 13 boards, with five dimes, and game-highs two steals and two blocks. The “Greek Freak” didn’t give the best of times from the field as he hit mere five out of 16 attempts, but he excelled in other categories, and I expect him to return to his usual in Detroit. Giannis is averaging fantastic 31.3 ppg and just 14 in Charlotte was a season-low for him, but he should easily score 20+ against the Pistons. Jason Kidd is shuffling cards at the center position following Greg Monroe’s injury, and after giving a chance to Thon Maker to serve as a starter, Kidd turned to John Henson as Maker failed to impress. Henson is a solid defensive player, but he will have a lot of work to do in a matchup with Andre Drummond, and there is a possibility that Henson will get in an early foul trouble.
Jason Kidd cannot count on Greg Monroe who will be sidelined for two weeks due to left calf soreness, and he already missed the previous three games, so Henson and Maker will split minutes at the center spot. Jabari Parker is a long-term absentee, so there are plenty of problems for Kidd when it comes to the frontcourt. The Bucks are scoring 104.88 points per contest on average (18th in the NBA), while they allowed 107.25 points in return (19th in the NBA). Milwaukee is third in the league when it comes to shooting (48.46%), and they are fourth from the perimeter (39.63%).
Place: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Date/Time: Friday, November 3rd, 2017, 7 PM ET
TV Coverage: FS DETROIT; FS WISCONSIN
The Pistons returned home from a three-game road trip
The Detroit Pistons upset both the Los Angeles Clippers and the reigning champions Golden State Warriors in the first two matches of a three-game stint on the road, but they fell short at Golden Staples against the Los Angeles Lakers, 93:113. It appeared that fatigue caught up with them and the Pistons were unable to return to Detroit with all three victories in the pocket.
Despite not being bad from the field (43.6%), the Pistons had just 21 assists in opposite to the Lakers 30, while Los Angeles also dominated in rebounds (53-44). Detroit attempted only three free throws and scored one, which is the fewest number of attempted free-throws since Cleveland (2) vs. Golden State on November 26th, 1994. It is no wonder why they lost by 20 points, but I believe the Pistons will bounce back against the Bucks, as they won four out of the previous five at Little Caesars Arena in H2H duels. Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris led Detroit with 18 points apiece, while Jackson also added seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Ish Smith added 12 points, while Andre Drummond posted a double-double of ten points and 12 boards. Avery Bradley struggled once again as he hit only four shots on 15 attempts and failed to score a three-pointer from five shots. He ended the game with miserable eight points, following 23 against the champions Warriors, and it seems that the inconsistency is Bradley’s biggest problem at the moment. Avery is an excellent player and his matchup with Tony Snell is the opportunity to respond, but Snell is a fairly good defender, so Bradley is undoubtedly player to watch here. Drummond should be a key here rather than the team’s scoring leader Harris, who faces the “Greek Freak” in a tough matchup. Andre will battle with Henson below the rims, and the Pistons will use their center more frequently than in Los Angeles, so I expect Drummond to lead Detroit in scoring.
Stan Van Gundy has almost entire of his squad healthy and ready for this encounter, only Jon Leuer is listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle so that Henry Ellenson will see more minutes off the bench as a result. The Pistons are scoring 104.38 points per contest on average (20th in the NBA), while they are allowing 102.12 points in return, which put them at the top ten (9th) in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons Trends & Prediction
The Bucks won just once in the previous five matches in Detroit, but they recorded a 119:94 victory last December, and it was the only time in those previous five encounters that Milwaukee scored 100+ points. That looks like a recipe for the Bucks in this clash, so I think they score at least 110, considering that the Bucks are already averaging 115.33 ppg on the road (2nd in the League) and are much better in away matches than at home. Milwaukee is 3-5 against the spread (2-1 away), while they are 5-3 on over/under (3-0 away), so I would go with OVER on this one.
The Pistons are 6-2 against the spread (2-1 home), while they are 4-4 on over/under (1-2 home), and they are scoring 103.33 ppg at Little Caesars Arena, so more than 205 points shouldn’t be a problem here. On the other hand, I cannot decide for either side, but Milwaukee could be closer to the victory if the offense serves them well. In case Detroit stops Giannis and Middleton, the hosts would have a solid opportunity to beat the Bucks.
My Pick: Pass
Total: Over 205 (-110)
