Detroit got a much-needed win, 90-89, at home against the Nets on Thursday night to break a five-game losing slide and keep its playoff hopes alive.
Behind 28 points from Marcus Morris and 21 points by Ish Smith, including a clutch three-pointer in the final period, the Pistons re-ignited their offense that shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc. But their carelessness was still evident, as Brooklyn put up 23 points thanks to 16 Detroit turnovers.
The Pistons, who are 2.5 games short of the eight seed in the east, need to lower that figure, and capitalize on every possession to keep up with a red-hot Milwaukee group. After winning the opener this season, Detroit’s dropped the previous two meetings of this series by double digits, while also failing to reach 100 points in both.
A playoff berth continues to look like a sure thing for the Bucks, who enter this game having won seven of their last 10 games (5-5 ATS). That stretch includes victories over a pair of contenders in the Clippers (97-96) and the Celtics, whom Milwaukee took care off this past Wednesday, 103-100.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 22 points and nine boards in that matchup, while Rookie of the Year candidate Malcolm Brogdon pitched in 16 points and nine assists.
The rookie’s been playing really well and with tremendous confidence of late, finishing with at least 12 points and an average of 6.8 assists over his last five games.
The Bucks, though, have to put a major effort in crashing the boards for tonight’s matchup. They’re averaging just 48.1 rebounds this season, while their opponent—Detroit—ranks fifth in the league in that department with 53.7 per outing.
