Detroit Pistons giant underdogs vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Time, TV vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo
What in the world did the Detroit Pistons do to piss off the NBA schedule makers?
Sure, when you've lost over 20 straight games, there really aren't any easy matchups, but back-to-back games against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are then followed by a game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks? On the second leg of a back-to-back? Less than 24 hours after a 32-point beatdown in Philly? That's just cruel!
All jokes aside, the Pistons' schedule has done them no favors as of late as they've desperately tried to end their record-breaking losing streak. Thankfully for the Pistons, after facing Giannis they'll get a couple of reasonably winnable games (don't laugh) against the underachieving Atlanta Hawks (road) and Utah Jazz (home), followed by a home-and-home with the Brooklyn Nets.
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Back to the Bucks game, the Pistons will be up against many of the same problems the 76ers presented in the two games prior. Antetokounmpo and Embiid are arguably the two most physically dominant interior forces in the NBA, and the Pistons are shorthanded at the center spot right now.
Yes, I know what you're thinking: How is that possible when it feels like half the team are centers? But with second-year big man Jalen Duren down with another ankle injury and James Wiseman still lacking, especially on the defensive end, teams are liable to attack the undersized Isaiah Stewart right away to try to get him in foul trouble. Embiid displayed a masterclass Wednesday when he shot nine free throws in the first quarter, taking Stewart out of the game both physically and mentally, which carried over to Friday. Stewart blew two layups, was clearly frustrated and got T'd up (after being ejected Wednesday). He was 3-for-9 for eight points combined in the two Sixers games, with eight rebounds, seven fouls, four turnovers and two assists.
Cade Cunningham on Friday had one of the most head-scratching games of his career, scoring four points on 2-for-9 shooting with three turnovers in 24 minutes, leaving Bojan Bogdanovic as the lone Pistons starter to score in double figures.
Maybe the best thing the Pistons have going for them is they showed earlier this year they're capable of playing with the Bucks. Way back when the Pistons losing streak was at a measly five games, they played the Bucks right down to the end of the game, narrowly losing, 120-118, in a game where rookie guard Marcus Sasser scored 26 points.
They'll need a similar hot shooting performance, whether that be from Sasser or someone else, if they want a chance at taking down the Bucks, second in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks last played Wednesday, when Antetokounmpo scored 64 points in a 140-126 victory over Indiana.
Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks start time today
Matchup: Pistons (2-23) vs. Bucks (17-7).
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16.
Time: 6 p.m. ET.
Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Betting line: Bucks by 16½ (how to bet and get sign up bonus).
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Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks TV channel today
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM 97.1 (Pistons radio affiliates).
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
If you don't have Bally Sports Detroit, you can sign up for Fubo with a free trial to watch the Pistons all season long.
Detroit Pistons injury report vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Pistons are without starting center Jalen Duren for another week at least with a left ankle sprain. Point guard Monte Morris (right quad strain) remains out into January. Backup center Marvin Bagley III (lower back) has missed the past three games, but will return to the lineup and start in place of Stewart, who is out with a shoulder injury after struggling mightily in the two games against the 76ers. It won't be an easy task for the Pistons, even with Bagley in the lineup, as the Pistons are at a massive size deficiency against a frontline of Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
The Bucks are without veteran shooting guard Khris Middleton with it being the front end of a back-to-back, but he's expected to be back Sunday vs. the Rockets. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said Friday that Antetokounmpo (probable) "was feeling a little bit under the weather," but he is listed as available on the injury report and will start. Malik Beasley is listed as out with a non-COVID illness, while Jae Crowder (groin surgery) is also out.
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Pistons vs. Bucks starting lineups
Pistons: G Killian Hayes, G Cade Cunningham, F Bojan Bogdanovic, F Ausar Thompson, C Marvin Bagley III.
Bucks: G Damian Lillard, G Andre Jackson Jr., F MarJon Beauchamp, F Giannis Antetokounmpo, C Brook Lopez.
Pistons uniform, jersey vs. Bucks
Despite being on the road, the Pistons are set to wear their traditional home white jerseys when they face Giannis and the Bucks. The Pistons have worn the white jerseys just six times this season as they've been showing off their new black City Edition jerseys.
The Bucks are set to wear their dark green Icon Edition jerseys with "Milwaukee" written across the chest in white and cream edging.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons game today vs. Milwaukee Bucks: TV channel, stream
