Milwaukee Bucks vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Predictions November 13th 2024

Bucks vs Pistons November 13th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the 3-8 Milwaukee Bucks will host the 5-7 Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks are favored by 5.5 points and the over/under line is set at 219.

This is a division matchup between two Central teams. The Pistons are 7th in the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks are 12th.

Pistons vs. Bucks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Wednesday, November 13th
• Betting Odds MIL -5.5, DET +183 | MIL -220 O/U 219

The Pistons Can Win If…

The Pistons improved to 5-7 on the season with a 123-121 win over the Heat on Tuesday. Detroit, who entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs, covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game were 244, well over the pre-game line of 214.5.

Detroit jumped out to a 12-0 lead after a 10-0 run and ended the 1st quarter up 32-21. Miami closed the gap in the 2nd quarter, winning it 30-25. The Pistons extended their lead to 91-82 after a 34-31 3rd quarter, but the Heat made a push in the 4th, outscoring Detroit 29-20.

Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley each scored 21 points in the Pistons’ 123-121 win over the Heat, with Beasley hitting 5 threes at 45.5%. Cunningham added 9 assists, despite shooting 40% from the field and 28.6% from deep. Jaden Ivey contributed 19 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 44.4%.

Detroit made 13 threes at 36.1%, shooting 46.7% overall. Cunningham and Beasley both scored 5 points in overtime, while Ivey added 9 points in the 4th quarter. Tobias Harris had 11 of his 18 points in the opening quarter.

Defensively, the Pistons were at their best in the 1st quarter, allowing just 21 points, but they gave up 30 or more in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. They allowed 29 points in the 4th but still managed to secure the win.

Detroit sent Miami to the line just 13 times, where the Heat made 10 free throws. The Pistons gave up 17 threes on 37% shooting. They finished with 41 defensive rebounds, allowing 12 offensive boards, and recorded 4 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last five road games, Detroit has averaged 103 points per game while allowing 102. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
• The last ten games that Detroit was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 4-6 straight up.
• Over their last three games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks improved to 3-8 on the season with a 99-85 win over the Raptors on Tuesday. Milwaukee, playing at home, was favored by -8.5 points and covered the spread, winning by 14. The game’s total points of 184 fell well short of the 225-point over/under line.

Milwaukee took control early, winning the first three quarters, including a key stretch where they went on an 11-0 run, extending their lead from 54-46 to 65-46. The Bucks entered the 4th quarter up 81-67, and both teams scored 18 points in the final period.

In their win over the Raptors, the Bucks managed just 99 points, shooting 40.4% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Despite the poor shooting, they hit 16 threes in the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 23 points and 7 assists, shooting 75% from the field. Bobby Portis added 17 points, while Brook Lopez contributed 13 points, despite shooting just 35.7% overall and 20% from deep.

The Bucks’ defense was stellar on Tuesday, holding the Raptors to just 85 points. They allowed 21 points in the 1st quarter, 22 in the 2nd, 24 in the 3rd, and clamped down in the 4th, giving up only 18 points.

Milwaukee limited Toronto to 34% shooting from the field and 9 made threes on 36% shooting. The Raptors went 16/20 from the free-throw line. The Bucks also recorded 16 steals and 9 blocks.

• Although Milwaukee has a straight up record of 0-5 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-4. The team averaged 103 points per game in these games.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Bucks have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last three games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +5.5, the Pistons is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 219, and our model predicts the Pistons and Bucks to score a combined 255 points. We recommend betting on the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Pistons Aim to Continue Momentum in High-Stakes Clash vs. Bucks

The Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks both opened their NBA Cup campaigns with promising starts. As they face off on Wednesday night in Milwaukee, each team will look to maintain its winning momentum in the early stages of this new tournament.

Detroit Pistons’ Grit and Close-Game Resilience

Detroit’s recent games have been marked by nail-biting finishes, each showcasing the team’s grit under pressure. Over their last four outings, the Pistons have seen incredibly close results with a combined margin of just six points.

• Heart-Stopping Moments: Detroit’s string of close games began with a tough one-point loss in Charlotte, followed by a narrow one-point victory over Atlanta. In that game, Cade Cunningham came through with a clutch shot and a last-second block to secure the win.
• Adversity and Perseverance: Detroit’s resilience shone again in a two-point loss to Houston, after which they rebounded with a thrilling 123-121 overtime victory against Miami. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff aptly described these matchups as “madness,” emphasizing his team’s resilience. “The resolve, all the stuff they’ve been through — multiple times they could have given in, (and thought) ‘it’s too hard,'” Bickerstaff said. “Instead of laying down, they bandied together.”

Cunningham, a key figure in Detroit’s recent success, nearly achieved a triple-double against Miami with 21 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Malik Beasley also made an impact by sinking 5 of 11 three-pointers, contributing 21 points in total. Despite challenges like Jaden Ivey fouling out and Tim Hardaway Jr. sustaining a head injury, the Pistons have continued to showcase a “never back down” attitude that has brought them to these tight finishes.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Defensive Dominance and Shooting Strategy

Milwaukee also heads into Wednesday’s game with confidence, having just defeated the Toronto Raptors 99-85. The Bucks’ strong defensive performance — highlighted by a season-best 16 steals — underscores their commitment to defense and team energy.

• A 3-Point Focused Offense: Milwaukee’s offensive strategy has leaned heavily into perimeter shooting, as evidenced by their staggering 56 three-point attempts against Toronto. Even without star guard Damian Lillard (concussion protocol), the Bucks managed to find success by embracing an aggressive 3-point approach that excites coach Doc Rivers. “If we play like that every night and get those shots, we’re going to be fine,” Rivers said.
• Young Talent Rising to the Occasion: With Lillard out, AJ Green and Ryan Rollins both stepped up, adding eight 3-pointers and seven steals between them. Rollins’ night, unfortunately, ended with a shoulder injury, but the young duo’s performance showcased Milwaukee’s roster depth, providing valuable minutes and big plays in a pivotal NBA Cup game.

Key Matchup: Pistons’ Resilience vs. Bucks’ Strategy

Both teams bring unique strengths to this NBA Cup showdown.

• Detroit’s Strengths: The Pistons have developed a reputation for managing high-pressure moments, with Cunningham leading the charge. His clutch plays have been central to Detroit’s success, and his ability to break through Milwaukee’s defense will likely be pivotal.
• Milwaukee’s Edge: The Bucks’ reliance on strong defense and their three-point shooting strategy could give them the upper hand if they maintain shooting efficiency. Antetokounmpo remains Milwaukee’s primary offensive threat, while Bobby Portis, AJ Green, and Malik Beasley provide support in both scoring and defense.

Looking Ahead: Impact on the NBA Cup

This game holds significant implications in the context of the NBA Cup standings and for each team’s momentum moving forward. A win for Detroit could underscore their reputation as resilient competitors, while a Milwaukee victory would solidify their status as a defensive powerhouse with depth.

The game promises to be an intense, strategic clash that could set the tone for the rest of the NBA Cup. Both teams have shown their mettle in different ways — Detroit with their relentless resilience and Milwaukee with a revitalized defense and focused 3-point strategy. As they meet on Wednesday, expect a showcase of skill, endurance, and strategic adjustments that will set the course for each team’s NBA Cup journey.