The NBA action continues on Monday, January 23, with a seven-game slate, and this divisional duel is one of them, so make sure you get the best Bucks vs. Pistons betting pick and odds.

Detroit is hoping to avoid the fourth loss in a row when they welcome Milwaukee at Little Caesars Arena. The Bucks are -11.5 favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 228.5 points. These Central Division foes will meet for the third time this season; the Bucks currently lead the series 2-0.

Bucks couldn’t do much against Cleveland’s defense

The Milwaukee Bucks (29-17, 24-20-2 ATS) couldn’t record the third consecutive win for the first time since early December as they suffered a 114-102 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks did make 14 three-pointers opposite Cleveland’s seven, but the hosts forced 16 turnovers and committed nine on the other end. Once again, Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton and couldn’t unlock the league’s best defense without them.

Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with a double-double of 28 points and a game-high ten assists along with four rebounds and six turnovers. Bobby Portis posted a double-double of 23 points and game-high 11 boards, Pat Connaughton added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four dishes, while Brook Lopez had ten points, five boards, and a game-high four blocks.

PF/C Serge Ibaka (personal) is out indefinitely. PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and SF Khris Middleton (knee) are questionable to play in Detroit on Monday.

Pistons lost to the Bulls in France

The Detroit Pistons (12-36, 20-25-3 ATS) traveled to Paris, France, to face the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Global series, but came back home with a blowout 126-108 loss. It was Detroit’s third straight defeat and now the Pistons will conclude their five-game home stand against Milwaukee on Monday. The Pistons shot just 40.2% from the field, while the Bulls were more successful in that segment with 54.3%. The teams were equal in other departments, but a poor FG% cost Detroit.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 25 points and five rebounds. Hamidou Diallo scored 17, Saddiq Bey contributed 16 points and nine boards, Jaden Ivey had 16 points and four assists, while Jalen Duren recorded a double-double of 11 points and team-high 12 rebounds along with a pair of blocks in just 18 minutes.

PF/C Marvin Bagley III (hand) and PG Cade Cunningham (shin) are out indefinitely. PG Cory Joseph (knee) is questionable to face the Bucks on Monday.

Trends:

Milwaukee:

  • 14-4 ATS in the last 18 games against Detroit

Detroit:

  • 1-6 ATS in the last seven games
  • 0-5 ATS in the last five games against the Eastern Conference opponents
  • 0-5 ATS in the last five games against the Central Division rivals

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons Pick

Even if the Bucks arrive in Detroit without Antetokounmpo and Middleton, the Bucks are still a better team than the Pistons. Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis, among other, stepped up in absence of the aforementioned players and have been playing excellent basketball. Both offenses are not good enough as they are not even in the top 20 in the NBA, but a stronger defense will prevail here. Milwaukee has the 6th best D in the league that allows 111.4 ppg, while Detroit’s defense is the second-worst as it surrenders 119.6 ppg.  

Pick: Take the Bucks at -9.5 (-140)

The Total

I mentioned offenses that aren’t very efficient. Milwaukee averages 112.4 ppg and if they play without Giannis and Middleton, I believe the Bucks are not going to score more than 120 points, and that’s only because they play against poor Detroit’s D. The Pistons score 112.0 ppg, but they failed to score more than 110 in each of their previous three games. The total has gone Under in six of Detroit’s last seven games against Milwaukee, while the total went Under in each of Milwaukee’s previous six games on the road.

Pick: Go Under 230.5 points (-133)