by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Jan 23, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Where to watch: BSDET, BSWI
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bucks -11
FanDuel: Bucks -11.5
BetMGM: Bucks -11.5
Caesars: Bucks -11.5
Season record
Bucks: 29-17
Pistons: 12-36
We’re nearing the halfway mark of the season in the NBA and it’s been quite the ride so far. Al McMordie is cashing hard at 22-15-0 in the last 30 days, while Doc’s Sports has also had a strong run of form as of late at 14-10-0 (+$3,000). If they’ve been killing it as much as they were in the first half, what does the second half have in store? The only way you’re going to find out is by staying locked on bigal.com and following what our champion handicappers are up to heading into the final 41 games. Trust us, you want to know.
Bucks - Pistons preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Bucks: lost 114-102 at Cavs
Pistons: lost 126-108 vs. Bulls (Paris)
The Milwaukee Bucks could be getting some much needed reinforcements on Monday when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons at Little Caesars arena on Monday.
The Milwaukee Bucks could be getting some much needed reinforcements on Monday when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons at Little Caesars arena on Monday.
Milwaukee, which comes into this game having lost three of five, could be getting a next to healthy full lineup for Monday with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton both listed as probable with knee ailments. It has been quite a long time since Milwaukee was actually this healthy, and we know what tends to happen when they are both in the lineup.
The Bucks are coming off a 114-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday in what was a valiant effort but not enough given the circumstances. Jrue Holiday Let the bucks with 28 points and 10 assists, while Bobby Portis had 23 points and 11 rebounds, but that was about all that Milwaukee could muster offensively. Milwaukee shot just 45% from the field and made 14 and 39 from 3 point range, but the absence of Giannis was felt with only 11 free throw attempts amongst the team. And also because of his absence, no one had any answers for Evan Mobley after his career high 38 points.
“He scored a lot of different ways,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He made everything. He did a little of everything. He did some things, really, everywhere. Mobley made the plays.”
Clearly we know what happens when Milwaukee doesn't have a full lineup but it has absolutely showed over these last number of games. There was the back-to-back losses in Miami that did not help matters, but then a home win against Indiana and a home win against Toronto sort of offset that. But the lost Cleveland was not only the third in five games but it was also the third loss against the spread in five games. With Milwaukee favored by as many as 11.5, that should bode well for those who are very interested in taking the Bucks against the spread.
Detroit is coming into this game losers of six of their last seven both outright and against the spread, but that's nothing new as it pertains to the Pistons. Their most recent loss was a 126-108 defeat to the Chicago Bulls in Paris, and as I've stated before there's really no need to have two teams that are playing like hot garbage go represent your game globally, but I digress. Bojan Bogdanovic had 25 points to lead the way for the Pistons, while Jaden Ivey and Saadiq Bey each had 16 points.
Detroit also had a horrendous night shooting for a team that put up 108 points. The Pistons collectively shot 40% from the field and justice 8 of 34 from 3 point range. Not that that was any better than Chicago shooting 7 of 23 from long distance, but Chicago also made 54% of its shots while missing only two free throws.
“It is special because we’re representing not only Detroit, but the NBA,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “And we’re trying to put the brand in a good place — in a place where basketball is taking off.”
Prediction
The talent level between the Pistons and the bucks is far and wide especially when you get the two All Stars back from Milwaukee. The fact that they are coming back and are set to take down a rested Detroit team that is coming off global travel, I have full confidence that Milwaukee should witness game fairly comfortably. Bucks 124, Pistons 102
Betting trends
Bucks are 22-19 ATS after a division game the last 3 seasons.
Bucks are 25-24 ATS off a road loss the last 3 seasons.
Pistons are 1-6 ATS after 2 straight unders this season.
Bucks are 22-19 ATS after a division game the last 3 seasons.
Bucks are 25-24 ATS off a road loss the last 3 seasons.
Pistons are 1-6 ATS after 2 straight unders this season.
Projected starting lineup
Bucks:
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Pistons:
PG: Killian Hayes
SG: Jaden Ivey
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
PF: Isaiah Livers
C: Jalen Duren
Injury report
Bucks: None
Pistons: Cade Cunningham (leg, out), Marvin Bagley III (hand, out)
Bucks: None
Pistons: Cade Cunningham (leg, out), Marvin Bagley III (hand, out)
Statistical leaders
Bucks:
Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo -- 31.0
Rebounds: Giannis Antetokounmpo -- 11.9
Assists: Jrue Holiday -- 7.5
Pistons:
Points: Bojan Bogdanovic -- 21.3
Rebounds: Jalen Duren -- 8.3
Assists: Killian Hayes -- 5.8
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Milwaukee Bucks - Detroit Pistons prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
