Bucks hope for an “Easy” Win in the Worst Way
The 29-17 Milwaukee Bucks take on the 12-36 Detroit Pistons Monday Night in Detroit, needing a win in the worst way to start to build some positive momentum. Milwaukee has already beat Detroit twice this year, and the Piston are only 6-17 at home. Milwaukee lost Saturday Night to Cleveland 114-102.
Detroit last played in Paris on Thursday night, losing to the Bulls 126-108. Detroit and Chicago spent a good chunk of time in France, helping build the NBA brand in Europe.
Here in America, rumors abound that Giannis and Khris might play. Really, if they do that’s great but if they don’t it really should not matter. The Bucks are the better team regardless. Plus, I’m not an international flight expert but I think jet lag is a thing.
According to Vegas Milwaukee has a 78% chance to win and is a seven point favorite. On the road. That’s a pretty strong nod to Milwaukee.
The problem here might not be with Milwaukee’s injured roster, but with Detroit’s.
Related: Injury Report Update
Bucks keys
Avoid injury
Nobody wants to hear this one right now: nobody. But it’s true. Milwaukee is 12 games over .500 Boston, Brooklyn and Cleveland are all facing significant injuries. Milwaukee, if Middleton can come back and Giannis is not experiencing a significant knee injury, could all be healthy by the all-star break. This roster is constructed to win these games with veteran players who can come in and take care of business.
Of course everyone hates it. Check out the tweet below.
NBA needs to do something about load management. Nobody would willingly pay to go see Ty Jerome hoop. pic.twitter.com/Pt1dgH22pp
— 🏴☠️ (@Coach_Hate) January 21, 2023
We may see a Giannis “load management game” here. Also, why would the Bucks rush back Middleton to play here? Even Holiday, Portis or Lopez might rest.
Related: Bucks Bench Midseason Grades
Keep shooting the three
The Bucks average 39 three point attempts a game. (Detroit averages 33 per game) The Bucks and their offense is built around Giannis driving the ball and kicking it out to a shooter. It is working so far: keep shooting the three.
It is imperative Milwaukee avoids a “Charlotte”-type game where the opponent shoots the lights out.
Keep Rebounding
If you read this space you know there is a true ”obsession” with keeping track of the team rebounding battle. The Bucks were the best team in the NBA in terms of team rebounding. Now, they have fallen to second overall (48.2 rebounds per game) However, they are leading the NBA in defensive rebounding. When you rebound the ball you can win the possession battle.
The Opponent: The Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham is out for the year. He was only able to play 12 games before suffering a season-ending shin injury.
Detroit has struggled to score. They are 25th in the NBA in scoring.
The Pistons have also not shot the ball well so far this year and have the NBA’s 4th worst team field goal percentage. They are in the bottom five in fouls (they foul a lot) and in team assists (22 per game). The Pistons don’t tend to pass the ball well. They have played very inconsistent basketball.
Bojan Bogdanovic leads the team in scoring. (21 points per game) He has started and played in every game so far this season for Detroit. I’m certain everyone associated with the Pistons would prefer to have last year’s number overall pick Cade Cunningham lead the team in scoring, but again, he’s out.
The Pistons also often start two “point guards” in Killian Hayes and Jaden Ivey. Both guys are really young.
Saddiq Bey is an interesting player for the Pistons. Only 23, Bey is a dribble-drive 6’ 8” forward, he really likes to dunk. He continues to improve and could one day be a top twenty NBA player. He scores and plays solid defense.
Jalen Duren is also an intriguing player for the Pistons. Only 18, Duren is raw and chalk full of talent. Duren fits the mold of what it seems like this team and franchise are trying to do: be the Rockets and Thunder of the East. Acquire tons of first round talent in the hopes one or two of those guys become great NBA players.
Things to tell your buddies as you are watching the game
- Pistons Coach Dwayne Casey has been coaching the team since 2018. Casey was also the coach of the year in 2018.
- The Pistons take their name from the influence of the automobile industry on Detroit.
- The Bucks are 6-5 without Giannis this season.
- “Pass me a beer?” or pass me the ball? The Bucks are an average passing team so far, ranking 17th in the NBA in team assists.
- The Pistons have won three NBA championships (1989, 1990, and 2004).
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