The NBA’s top scoring team will be on the road at Little Caesars Arena, when the Milwaukee Bucks (19-9) square off with the Detroit Pistons (14-13). The game will air on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Pistons (2-point underdogs) defeated the Boston Celtics 113-104, while the Bucks (9.5-point favorite) beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-102. The Detroit game went 1.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Milwaukee game finished 4.5 points under the projected point total of 220.5.
Milwaukee played a flawless game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 7.8 (better than their season average of 12.7) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.5 (above their season average of 22.4). Cleveland recorded marks of 13.5 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, Detroit’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Boston. The Pistons had a rate of 0.313 (above their season average of 0.203), while the Celtics posted a mark of 0.181 (below the 0.242 mark opponents have averaged against Detroit this season). Andre Drummond had a good game for Detroit with 19 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks. Meanwhile, Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who contributed 44 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
In their first matchup this year, Eric Bledsoe led the Bucks to a 115-92 win. He produced 27 points. Milwaukee covered as a 7-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 207 points, which was well under the projected point total of 225.5. Milwaukee was effective at getting and making free throws. The Bucks made 25 of their 30 free throws (83.3 percent), while the Pistons were just 13-19 (68.4 percent).
A little over half of the Bucks’ games have finished over the total. Milwaukee comes into the game with records of 19-9 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS).
Just over half of Pistons games have finished over the total. Additionally, Detroit is 14-13 SU and 14-13 ATS.
Brook Lopez has been impressive recently for Milwaukee, averaging 13 points,2.4 blocks over the last five games.
The ineffective offense of Detroit will battle against the top-notch defense of Milwaukee. The Pistons rank 25th in offensive efficiency, while the Bucks are fourth in defensive efficiency. The Bucks should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Bucks vs. Pistons Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bucks rank 1 in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.142857142857142) while the Pistons rank 8 (15.88888888888889).
- Detroit ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (29.5) while Milwaukee ranks 29th (35.9).
- The Bucks rank fifth in assists per game (26.3) while the Pistons rank 25th (21.8).
- Milwaukee ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (40.6) while Detroit ranks 20th (49.9).
- Milwaukee ranks 5 in steals allowed per game (7.035714285714286) while Detroit ranks 14 (7.62962962962963).
- The Bucks rank sixth in blocks per game (5.8) while the Pistons rank 26th (4.1).
- The Bucks average 50.357142857142854 rebounds per game, which ranks 1 in the NBA. The Pistons rank 16 in rebounds allowed per game (44.7037037037037).
- Milwaukee leads the league with 9.214285714285714 fast break points allowed per game while Detroit is 4 with 11 fast break points allowed per game.
- Detroit ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.9) while Milwaukee ranks 24th (12.4).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Milwaukee is 6-0 and Detroit is 2-0.
- The Bucks are 19-7 when they score over 100 points, while the Pistons are 14-9.
- Milwaukee is 5-7 ATS on the road, while Detroit is 7-9 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Bucks’ 12 road games, while 8 of the Pistons’ 16 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bucks are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pistons are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Milwaukee has 5 unders, while Detroit has 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
- The Bucks\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 9.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (0.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.2 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
