NBA 2019 playoff primer: OKC Thunder join 7 squads in day two action
Detroit Pistons versus Milwaukee Bucks:
The NBA best Bucks take to Fiserv Forum hardcourt Sunday with their eyes set on replicating what the Warriors did by retaining home court, something the other top seeds were unable to do on Saturday. And something we hope the Thunder can replicate by beating the Blazers.
The Pistons limped into the postseason needing to win their final two games just to secure the eighth seed. In their last 11 games, the Pistons were 4-7. More concerning is Blake Griffin looks well shy of 100 percent wearing a full leg sleeve and noticeably hobbled. Griffin played in 4 of the Pistons final seven games, but the fact he didn’t play in the last game which they needed to win speaks to how much he’s hurting. He’s listed as questionable and in truth, if he can’t affect the game the Pistons will have an extremely difficult time scoring enough to keep this match competitive.
The Bucks have their own injury issues but they are far deeper and much more talented even if Griffin was fully healthy. This postseason Giannis Antetokounmpo will be looking to showcase why he should be the MVP and how he can beast outside the regular season.
One piece of good news for the Bucks who have several players out injured is Nikola Mirotic is back practicing and is listed as possible to play in Game 1.
If the Bucks have a weakness it would arguably be their perimeter defense where they rank 22nd. The problem is the Pistons aren’t particularly adept at 3-point shooting though Wayne Ellington and Luke Kennard can get hot it’s not to the level where they’ll take over a game – at least not without Griffin also being a major factor.
Bucks Key Stat Categories:
Record: 60-22
Offense: 113.6 (3rd)
Defense: 104.8 (1st)
Net: plus +8.8 (1st)
Pace: 103.5 (5th)
Pistons Key Stat Categories:
Record: 41-41
Offense: 108.1 (21st)
Defense: 108.9 (13th)
Net: negative -0.8 (17th)
Pace: 98.0 (28th)
Game Specifics:
History: The Bucks hold the edge all-time having won 133 of the 245 contests against the Pistons. However, Detroit has the dominant edge over the Bucks in the postseason with a 14-3 record. That said the Bucks swept the Pistons this season.
Odds: The oddsmakers give the Bucks the 13 point edge over the Pacers with a predicted over/under of 219.5 points.
The Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Tip: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, April 14, 2019
TV: TNT, FS Detroit, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
Bucks Starters:
Point Guard: Eric Bledsoe
Shooting Guard: Sterling Brown
Small Forward: Khris Middleton
Power Forward: *Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks Bench:
Point Guard: George Hill, Tim Frazier
Shooting Guard: P. Connaughton
Small Forward:
Power Forward: Ersan Ilyasova, D.J. Wilson, Bonzie Colson
Center:
Injury Notes:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is nursing a calf injury but is expected to play
- Malcolm Brogdon Right foot plantar fascia tear, is out
- Donte DiVincenzo Bilateral heel bursitis is out
- Pau Gasol Left foot soreness is out
- Nikola Mirotic Left thumb sprain/fracture is listed as questionable.
- Tony Snell Left ankle sprain is out
Pistons Starters:
Point Guard: Reggie Jackson
Shooting Guard: Wayne Ellington
Small Forward: Bruce Brown
Power Forward: Blake Griffin
Center: Andre Drummond
Pistons Bench:
Point Guard: Ish Smith, Jose Calderon, Kalin Lucas* Isaiah Whitehead*
Shooting Guard: Langston Galloway, Luke Kennard, Khyri Thomas
Small Forward: Jon Leuer, Glenn Robinson III, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Power Forward: Thon Maker
Center: Zaza Pachulia
Injury Notes:
- Blake Griffin (left knee) is questionable
- Svi Mykhailiuk (left index finger surgery) is definitely out