The Detroit Pistons grabbed a 30-26 lead after the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night at Fiserv Forum. Detroit enters the game with a 13-2 record and an 11-game winning streak, while Milwaukee is without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a groin injury.
The Milwaukee Bucks (8-8) host the Detroit Pistons (13-2) in a key Eastern Conference battle airing on NBA TV at 8 ET. The Pistons, atop the East, are riding high after a 120-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Their defense ranks second in the league, allowing 109.6 points per 100 possessions, with Jalen Duren emerging as a key force at 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks on 67.4% shooting.
The Bucks, coming off a 123-114 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, have dropped three straight and sit 10th in the conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo, averaging 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, is sidelined for 1-2 weeks with a groin strain. Ryan Rollins stepped up in the Philly loss with 32 points, six rebounds, and 14 assists.
Historically, Milwaukee dominates the series, winning 13 straight and 25 of the last 26 meetings since 2018. However, Detroit has shown improvement, pushing two games to overtime last season.
Early in the game, all five Pistons starters contributed to the scoreboard, while Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 14 points and five rebounds after the first quarter. The Bucks have gone 1-2 without Antetokounmpo this season, including an overtime defeat to Philadelphia.
