Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are on a hot streak, winning seven straight games as they gear up for the postseason. They’ve secured the fifth seed, fending off a challenge from the Detroit Pistons, and are set to take on the Indiana Pacers in the opening round, though they won’t have the home-court edge. In their latest victory, the Bucks edged out the Pistons 125–119 on the road.

Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance in that game, notching his 11th triple-double this season with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists. He was the key to the win, and this season’s triple-double tally is a career high for him. Giannis appeared in 67 of Milwaukee’s 81 games, signaling he’s in good shape for the playoffs. The Bucks are eager to settle the score with the Pacers after last year’s playoff letdown. That said, it’s unclear if Giannis will play in the upcoming game, given his past injuries and the fact that it doesn’t affect their playoff standing. They’re also missing Damian Lillard, who’s sitting this one out.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are struggling at a tough moment, dropping five of their last seven games. Their most recent defeat came against the Bucks, though they did manage a strong 115–106 home win against the New York Knicks earlier. With a 44–37 record heading into their final regular-season game, the Pistons have made a huge leap from last year, when they were the NBA’s worst team.

Detroit’s defense ranks 10th league-wide, while their offense sits at 14th. Their three-point shooting, however, is a weak spot, ranking 17th overall. To stand a chance in their playoff matchup against the Knicks—whom they recently beat in a low-pressure game—they’ll need to step up. Cade Cunningham drives much of their offense, but Jalen Duren and Malik Beasley have been solid contributors too. Dennis Schröder, a midseason pickup, has added veteran savvy and steadiness in the backcourt, reducing the team’s dependence on Cunningham to spark the offense.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons have both secured their playoff berths, with the Bucks’ victory on Friday locking them into the No. 5 seed and the Pistons into the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. In games like these, where playoff spots are already decided, bettors often lean toward the Under, expecting unmotivated teams to play reserves who struggle offensively.