Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks December 3rd 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Pistons (+149) will host the Bucks (-177) in a Central Division matchup. Milwaukee is currently favored by 4 points and has won six straight games. The over/under line is set at 221.5.

This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and can be seen on FDSD.

Bucks vs. Pistons Key Information

Milwaukee moved above .500 for the season with a 124-114 win over the Wizards on Saturday, bringing their record to 10-9. The Bucks were favored by 14.5 points at home but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game hit 238, surpassing the pre-game line of 230.

After trailing 29-28 after the 1st quarter, Milwaukee took control by outscoring Washington 35-29 in the 2nd. They went into the 4th quarter leading 92-86 and put the game away with a 10-0 run, stretching the score from 107-103 to 117-103.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 42-point, 12-rebound performance powered the Bucks to a win over the Wizards, with 15 points coming in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. He shot 62.5% from the field, and the Bucks connected on 51.2% of their shots as a team, hitting 16 threes at a 45.7% clip.

Damian Lillard added 25 points and 10 assists, making 5 threes at 55.6%. Brook Lopez contributed 18 points, with 12 coming in the 4th quarter, and he also hit 4 threes. AJ Green chipped in 13 points, 7 of which came in the opening period.

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Defensively, the Bucks were consistent, allowing 29 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters and 28 points in the 3rd and 4th, giving up 114 points in their win over the Wizards. Milwaukee held Washington to just 9 made threes on 28% shooting from deep.

The Bucks sent the Wizards to the line 24 times, where they made 23 free throws. Milwaukee grabbed 31 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, and added 5 steals and 6 blocks.

Detroit fell to 9-13 on the season after a 111-96 home loss to the 76ers on Saturday. The Pistons entered the game as +2 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 207 points fell short of the 215.5-point O/U line.

Philadelphia took control early with an 11-0 run, turning a 14-7 deficit into an 18-14 lead. Detroit responded by outscoring the 76ers 32-20 in the 2nd quarter, but a 32-17 3rd quarter by Philadelphia put the game out of reach. Detroit won the 4th quarter 27-22 but couldn’t overcome the 20-point deficit they faced entering the final period.

The Pistons struggled offensively in their loss to the 76ers, shooting just 38.5% from the field and 27.5% from three-point range. They made 11 threes in the game, with Malik Beasley leading the way, hitting 4 of his attempts at an 80% clip, finishing with a team-high 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Jaden Ivey added 15 points, with 10 of those coming in the opening quarter. Marcus Sasser contributed 12 points, while Wendell Moore scored 9 of his 11 points in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Pistons struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 37 and 32 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 2nd and 4th, allowing just 20 and 22 points. Overall, they allowed 111 points on 49% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, Detroit held the 76ers to 11 made threes on 35% shooting. Philadelphia also went 16/22 from the free-throw line. The Pistons recorded 32 defensive rebounds while allowing 12 offensive boards, along with 6 steals and 5 blocks.

The Pistons come in as the underdog at +4, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 221.5, and our model predicts the Bucks and Pistons to score a combined 257 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Pistons Looking for Key NBA Cup Win vs. Surging Bucks

High Stakes for Detroit

The Detroit Pistons see the NBA in-season tournament as a significant opportunity to showcase their growth. With a 3-0 record in the NBA Cup, Detroit can clinch Group B and secure a quarterfinal home game with a victory over the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

The Pistons are coming off an impressive 130-106 road win over Indiana on Friday, which solidified their tournament aspirations.

“The sense of urgency is high for sure,” Pistons guard Cade Cunningham said. “We all want to go to Vegas and experience winning something. We’re going for it.”

Detroit has already triumphed over Miami and Toronto in NBA Cup play. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized the importance of these games.

“This gives our guys an opportunity to play games of significance and see how they respond,” Bickerstaff said. “I thought our guys did a great job of responding in a positive way.”

Cunningham Expected to Return

The Pistons fell 111-96 to Philadelphia on Saturday, with Cunningham sitting out due to a hip injury. However, he is expected to return for Tuesday’s crucial matchup.

The loss to the 76ers came under challenging circumstances, including travel delays that left the team exhausted.

“Our guys were exhausted,” Bickerstaff said. “By the time they got to bed, it was 5, 5:30 in the morning.”

Bucks on a Roll

Milwaukee enters the contest riding a six-game winning streak, including a 124-114 victory over Washington on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Damian Lillard added 25 points and 10 assists.

“Now we’re going into our second year playing together, and our chemistry has been incredible so far,” Antetokounmpo said of his partnership with Lillard. “We trust one another’s decision-making and give one another space to operate.”

Coach Doc Rivers praised their synergy in closing out games.

“I thought Giannis and Dame down the stretch really played the two-man game,” Rivers said.

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Dominance Over Detroit

The Bucks have dominated the Pistons in recent years, winning 10 consecutive meetings and 22 of the last 23 matchups. In their first clash this season, Milwaukee claimed a 127-120 overtime win, highlighted by Antetokounmpo’s 59-point performance.

Key Implications

Tuesday’s game will determine which team hosts a quarterfinal in the NBA Cup knockout stage. For the Pistons, it’s a chance to measure their progress against a perennial powerhouse, while the Bucks aim to maintain their dominance and extend their streak in tournament play.