Recently, the Detroit Pistons (13-2) and the Milwaukee Bucks (8-8) have been trending in opposite directions, but the two franchises are headed for a collision course tonight at 8 pm. After three days off to rest, the Pistons are recharged and are looking to win their 12th consecutive game, which would be the team’s best mark in nearly 20 years. On the other hand, the Bucks are missing Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a groin injury, and the squad is reeling after three straight losses.

Detroit’s successful opening stanza has largely been sparked by Cade Cunningham, and the All-Star guard is averaging 27.5 points and nearly 10 assists per game, but the most impressive aspect of the fifth-year floor general’s game has been his ability to come through in the clutch. Cunningham leads in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, and the dynamic point guard is slowly embarking on a takeover of the Eastern Conference.

Cunningham is not taking on the entire East alone, however, and he’s shown a lethal connection with center Jalen Duren through 15 games. Cunningham and Duren sport the league’s most unstoppable lob connection, and their two-man game has helped propel the Pistons to the top record in the Eastern Conference so far. 

Injuries

Detroit finally had several days in a row to rest up from Wednesday through Friday, and it seems to have done the Pistons a bit of good. Yesterday, the Pistons recalled both Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris from the Motor City Cruise, so it looks like they’re both even closer to making their return. When Ivey reenters the rotation, it will mark his 2025-26 regular season debut, whereas Harris is recovering from a sprained ankle after opening the year as Detroit’s starting power forward. 

UPDATE: Both Ivey and Harris were spotted participating in a pre-game shoot around, so that's a positive development. 

Apart from those two, the Pistons will be without Marcus Sasser still, and Bobi Klintman remains in recovery mode after spraining his ankle in a recent game with the Cruise. Sasser and Klintman will be unavailable due to injury, and Detroit is also expected to miss Wendell Moore Jr. and Isaac Jones are set to fulfill a G-League assignment over the weekend. 

As for the Bucks, the big news is that Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to remain sidelined for a few more games, which bodes well for Detroit. Apart from Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee will enter Saturday’s game without Taurean Prince (herniated disc) and Kevin Porter Jr.(meniscus)  as they each recover from their own respective surgeries. 

Bucks News

The Bucks have been in a rough patch lately without Giannis in the lineup, losing the last three straight on the bounce. Most recently, Milwaukee lost by nine points to the Philadelphia 76ers and allowed a career-high 54 points to Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey in the process. Without Giannis’ defensive range and ability to cover up for his teammates’ weak spots, the Bucks have struggled to stop opponents from taking advantage of a glaring weak spot. Milwaukee has allowed at least 118 points in each of the last three games, so the door is open for the Pistons to put up a big number on Saturday. 

Against the Sixers, the Bucks’ Ryan Rollins exploded for a 32-point performance, which greatly outpaced his 18 points per game average on the season. What it shows is that while Milwaukee is adjusting to playing without Giannis, the team has been able to find alternate scoring outlets like Rollins who can step up. 

Player To Watch: Jalen Duren

This season, Jalen Duren has shown exponential growth working in the pick and roll with Cade Cunningham. When driving to the rim, Duren is shooting above 60%, and he’s posting a remarkable 83% clip on jumpers when he decides to pop after setting the pick. These numbers show an immense level of development and fine tuning in Duren’s offensive game, and it’s allowed the Pistons to jump out to their 11-game winning streak.

When Duren is flowing offensively, Detroit has cruised past opponents this season. The fourth-year center is averaging a career-high 20.6 points per game, and he’s keeping pace with his historically strong ability to clean the glass at nearly 12 rebounds per game as well. So, Duren’s output goes a long way in the Pistons’ success, and his ability to take advantage of lob situations with Giannis out of the lineup should fall right into Detroit’s hands. 

Prediction: Detroit Pistons 122, Milwaukee Bucks 110

In recent games, the Bucks have struggled to find much offensive continuity without Giannis in the lineup, and that will likely show itself once again versus a defensively-sound Pistons squad. Conversely, the Pistons are becoming a more healthy team heading into this matchup, and the Detroit unit has already been firing on all cylinders to start the season. Both Cunningham and Duren are playing the best basketball of their careers, and the Pistons are riding an 11-game winning streak with hopes of securing a dozen straight victories after tonight’s contest against the Bucks.

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