With both teams coming off wins, who will sweep their back-to-back?
With both the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons coming off Emirates NBA Cup wins last night, this game should provide a good measuring stick on where each group is at. It is also the first regular-season matchup between these two—their last matchup was a Detroit preseason shellacking of Milwaukee, 120-87.
Where We’re At
Last night’s 99-85 win over the Toronto Raptors hopefully takes some pressure off the heavily scrutinised Bucks heading into this B2B. That victory halted a two-game slide against the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Milwaukee played well for most of the game against the Raptors, although there were stretches of the game (cough, third quarter, cough) where they let Toronto back into things. Alas, the quest to play 48 minutes of competent basketball, or at least close to it, continues.
The Pistons have had quite an interesting season so far, sitting at 5-7. They are 2-2 in their last four games, and all those games have been decided by two points or less. In fact, last night’s game against the Miami Heat was bonkers. It involved multiple final-second lobs from both teams, and ended in a crazy turn of events. Catch the game thread here; I don’t want to spoil it. Just know that Malik Beasley is a cold-blooded winner.
Injury Report
Due to it being a back-to-back for both teams, neither must submit an injury report until 1:00 PM Central.
Update: We’ve got the reports. Milwaukee will be without Damian Lillard (concussion protocol) and Khris Middleton (ankle surgery rehab), Ryan Rollins is questionable (left shoulder instability), and Giannis Antetokounmpo is probable (right patella tendinopathy). For Detroit Jaden Ivy (toe sprain), Tim Hardaway Jr. (head laceration), Ausar Thompson (rehab), Bobi Klintman (right calf contusion), and Simone Fontecchio (toe sprain) are all OUT.
Another Update: Bobby Portis is an unexpected late scratch with an elbow contusion:
Late injury news: Bobby Portis Jr. is OUT tonight with a right elbow contusion. Tested it out in warmups & can’t go for the #Bucks
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2024-11-13T23:55:36.904Z
Player To Watch
After a few injury-disrupted seasons, former no. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham has been spectacular to open this campaign. He’s averaging 22.9 points (on .467/.343/.816 shooting splits), 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Crucially, the Bucks are going to have to keep him out of the paint to slow the Pistons down.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 PM CST.
Playback Streaming
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