NBA
Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Kick-Off Time: 7.00 pm, ET Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan The Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks will match up at Little Ceasers Arena on Friday, 11th April 2025, in the penultimate game of the regular season. Curtains are about to be closed in the 2024/2025 regular season, and NBA betting sites will serve us with competitive odds between these two central division franchises that are already guaranteed to be part of the playoff bonanza.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jalen Duren//Getty Images
This will be the third meeting between the Pistons and the Bucks, who may cross paths in the playoffs, with only three games separating their fourth and sixth positions on the standings. The Bucks are currently on an 11-game winning streak against the hosts, and they will be hopeful of continuing their dominance that dates back to the 2021/2022 NBA season.
The Detroit Pistons have been one of the surprise packages of the season as they have fast-tracked their development. They are young, gritty, and tough and have shown a hunger that has rarely been an occurrence in Detroit in recent times. After years of being a lottery team, the Pistons are guaranteed to take part in the playoffs, ending their post-season hiatus. They have played thrilling basketball for much of the season and are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks are in sixth on the standings, a rank below their host, with a 40-34 record. Injuries and suspensions have derailed them, as they have found it hard to field their full arsenal together during the season. They have undergone different changes in the course of the season, with their core bearing the brunt of it. The Bucks are hoping to catch a break from all the injuries as they work to fine-tune their chemistry to assault the playoffs in search of a third Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in franchise history.
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Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
You can access these pre-game odds on leading online betting sites.
Detroit Pistons: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
Milwaukee Bucks: 1/5 (1.20) – 83.3%
Forecast Odds – Betting available on 1Win closer to event.
Also our 1Win bookmaker review provides insights into odds, bonuses, and user experience.
Head-to-Head Record
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons played 265 games in the regular season, with 152 victories for the Bucks and 113 for the Pistons.
In the past five games, the Bucks have been flawlessly dominant, claiming five victories, which is part of a continuous 11-game winning streak.
LAST FIVE MATCHES
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2024/2025 | December 3rd 2024 | Detroit Pistons 107-128 Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2024/2025 | November 13th 2024 | Milwaukee Bucks 127-120 Detroit Pistons (Overtime ) |
| 2023/2024 | January 22nd 2024 | Detroit Pistons 113-122 Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2023/2024 | January 20th 2024 | Detroit Pistons 135-141 Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2023/2024 | December 16th 2023 | Milwaukee Bucks 146-114 Detroit Pistons |
Detroit Pistons: Current Form – LWWWL
Overall Record: 42-33
Home Record: 21-16
Away Record: 21-17
The Detroit Pistons' long rebuild has finally yielded positive results, as they seem to have found the right recipe for success. They have progressed to the upper echelons of the Eastern conference, and their fifth-place rank guarantees they will be part of the playoffs automatically.
After showcasing the most potential in recent seasons, Cade Cunningham has finally arrived as an NBA star. Cade is the face of the franchise, and he is surrounded by a great young developing core of Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland.
The offseason additions of solid veterans such as Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have worked wonders as they have meshed well and formed a potent, cohesive unit that plays like dogs. They have been part of some of the most exciting games of the NBA this season, and they have already claimed huge scalps for NBA title-contending teams.
The Pistons have nothing to lose, as they were never expected to be this good at this point in time. They are playing free flawless hoop, and they can be a serious thorn to teams come playoffs.
Key Players to Watch
Cade Cunningham: Cade Cunningham has been the floor general for the Pistons this season and has already garnered his first All-Star selection. Cade is averaging 25.7 points per game and 9.2 assists per game. Cade’s ability to orchestrate the offense is a joy to watch.
Jalen Duren: Jalen Duren has been one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. He ranks tenth in rebounds with 10.2 rebounds per game, coupled with the second-best field goal shooting percentage in the league at 69.6%.
Malik Beasley: Malik Beasley has performed admirably for the Pistons this season after his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks left much to be desired. Beasley provides the team with a spark off the bench and is the Pistons' third-leading scorer at 16.3 points per game.
Detroit Pistons Team News
The Pistons announced that Jaden Ivey’s lower leg injury has transitioned to weight-bearing strengthening exercises, running progression activity, and stationary shooting. The 24-year-old's recovery progress will be updated in another four weeks.
Milwaukee Bucks: Current Form – LLLLW
Overall Record: 40-34
Home Record: 24-14
Away Record: 16-20
The Milwaukee Bucks are having a decent season, although many had picked them as one of the top NBA title contenders before the season. They have stagnated, and they have witnessed their rivals become better and more consistent.
One of the reasons for the stagnation is injuries, with the other being suspensions of key personnel. They have lost superstar point guard Damian Lillard, who has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and will be sidelined indefinitely, and although Bobby Portis Jr. is back with the team, he has missed 25 games after he violated the NBA's anti-drug policy.
Head coach Doc Rivers has assembled an athletic roster that is defensively versatile after trading away Khris Middleton before the trade deadline. In the process, his squad got relatively young as they are now well equipped to go toe-to-toe with the emerging contender in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dominant as per his usual standards, and he has incorporated a deadly mid-range shot into his arsenal. He is expected to be a first-team ALL-NBA selection, and he is the third favorite to bag the MVP trophy.
The Bucks are working towards rehabilitating their injured players while ironing out persistent chemistry issues. If healthy, they will pose a huge challenge to any team in a seven-game series.
Key Players to Watch
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis Antetokounmpo is among the five best players in the NBA. The “Greek freak” has been his usual dominant and is a walking double-double. Antetokounmpo is one of the best defensive players in the league and is primed for a monstrous game, considering he has to carry the team in the absence of Lillard. This season, he is averaging 30.2 points per game and 11.9 rebounds.
Brook Lopez: Brook Lopez is one of the best defensive centers in the league. Lopez’s inside-out game is often underrated, much to the detriment of his opponents. Lopez leads the team with 1.8 blocks per game and has proven to be the best center to complement Giannis in the interior.
Kyle Kuzma: Kyle Kuzma will be the second scoring option for the remainder of the regular season now that Lillard is out indefinitely. He will certainly up his production numbers with more touches of the ball going through him. He is averaging 14.9 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks Team News
Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and will be sidelined indefinitely, while AJ Green has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Jericho Sims underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks.
Bobby Portis Jr. is finally available after serving his 25-game suspension.
Predicted Lineups
Detroit Pistons Lineup
Point Guard: Cade Cunningham
Shooting Guard: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Small Forward: Ausar Thompson
Power Forward: Tobias Harris
Center: Jalen Duren
Milwaukee Bucks Lineup
Point Guard: Ryan Rollins
Shooting Guard: Taurean Prince
Small Forward: Kyle Kuzma
Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Brook Lopez
Value Bets
Giannis Antonkoumpo – To Score Over 30 Points: Giannis has been dominating the Pistons ruthlessly through the years in their past encounters. With Damian Lillard out of the game due to injuries, Giannis will maximize his shots, and he will explode on the Pistons, making this outcome highly expected.
Cade Cunningham – To Make Over 8 Assists: Cade has been averaging 9.2 assists per game, and when playing against elite teams such as the Bucks, he assumes the role of a playmaker. The Bucks are expected to unleash their elite defense in this game, triggering Cade to direct the ball toward open shooters.
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks to Win
The Bucks have been outperforming the Pistons in their past matchups, and with Giannis, one of the dominant figures in the NBA, the Pistons will be less likely to outperform the Bucks. Moreover, the Detroit Pistons often fumble when playing against elite teams, and despite having a rising star like Cade Cunningham, they have insufficient scoring depth.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.