Bucks Zone

GAMEDAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The streaking Milwaukee Bucks host the struggling Detroit Pistons

The Milwaukee Bucks play the front end of a back-to-back as they take on the struggling Detroit Pistons on Saturday night at the Fiserv Forum.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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Milwaukee is playing the third game of a six-game homestand. The Bucks have won their last 11 games at home, making them the heavy favorites against a Pistons squad that is in a serious struggle.

Winner of two straight games, the Bucks are currently tied with the Philadelphia Sixers at second place in the Eastern Conference with identical 17-7 records.

Contrasting campaigns

Milwaukee is coming off a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers in a game where Giannis Antetokounmpo erupted for a career-high and a franchise-record 64 points.

Milwaukee and Detroit are meeting for the second time this season. In their first meeting on November 8th, the Bucks went through some anxious moments before prevailing, 120-118.

While Milwaukee is on a roll by winning 12 of their 15 games, Detroit has been having a rocky season.

The Pistons absorbed a franchise-record 22nd straight loss when they bowed to the Sixers on Friday night, 124-92.

Detroit, who also lost to Philadelphia, 111-129, on Wednesday night, eclipsed the franchise mark set at the end of the 1979-80 season and the start of 1980-81.

The Pistons’ current slide is the sixth-longest single-season skid in NBA history.

They are dead last in the East with a dismal 2-23 record this season.

Injury report

Antetokounmpo (illness) is listed as probable, while Khris Middleton (rest) and Jae Crowder (left adductor surgery) are out for the Bucks.

Marvin Bagley (back), Jalen Duren (ankle), and Monte Morris (quad) are out for the Pistons.

Adrian Griffin calls Bobby Portis Jr. the team’s “heart and soul”

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.