The Milwaukee Bucks are 6-0 straight up and 5-0-1 against the spread in their last six games against Detroit as they head into Game 3 as solid road favourites.
Former NBA head coach Pat Riley used to say a playoff series doesn’t begin until a road team wins a game. Detroit Piston fans will like this logic because it lets them ignore the fact their team is down 0-2 and has been outscored by 56 points over the first two games of their first round series.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks set out to put the Pistons on the ropes when the two teams meet on Saturday night. Detroit is looking to snap a 12-game postseason losing streak that dates back to 2008.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
There is a good chance the longest losing streak in NBA playoff history will belong to the Pistons when the first round finishes up. Detroit is an 8.5-point underdog in Game 3 and similar odds can be expected for Game 4.
The Knicks own the longest playoff losing streak (13 games) in NBA history. Two more consecutive losses for Detroit will mean there will be a new owner of that dubious record. The Bucks are -189 favourites to win the series in four games. Those odds imply a 65 percent probability that the Pistons will be swept out of the playoffs.
Milwaukee is 6-0 straight up and 5-0-1 against the spread in its last six games against Detroit. The Pistons are 1-7 ATS in their last eight contests but 11-3 against the number in their last 14 home dates. Conversely, the Bucks are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 away games.
More than 95 percent of bettors expect the Bucks to cover as 8.5-point chalk in Game 3 while 75 percent are backing the over to cash on the 216.5-point total.
Milwaukee Bucks
This time last year, Eric Bledsoe was getting thoroughly outplayed by Celtics backup point guard Terry Rozier. What a difference a year makes. Bledsoe led the Bucks in scoring in Game 2 of their series against the Pistons thanks to his 27-point performance. He connected on 11 of his 19 attempts from the field, and added six assists and four rebounds to round out his game.
Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin continues to sit out because of his sore left knee and head coach Dwane Casey is struggling to find ways to replace his All-Star forward’s offensive game. Second-year shooting guard Luke Kennard has been the most consistent threat in the playoffs this season for Detroit. He’s shooting 8-for-11 from 3-point land in his last two games.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 18 Apr 2:34pm | MIL | -8.5 -110 | O +217 -110 |
| Closing 20 Apr 11:30pm | MIL | -10 -115 | O +217.5 -115 |
Injuries
D.J. Wilson (PF)
D.J. Wilson (PF)
Sterling Brown (SG)
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Tony Snell (SG)
George Hill (PG)
Nikola Mirotic (PF)
Luke Kennard (SG)
Svi Mykhailiuk (SG)
Langston Galloway (SG)
Luke Kennard (SG)
Wayne Ellington (SG)
Luke Kennard (SG)
Thon Maker (PF)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.J. Wilson (PF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Wilson is battling left ankle soreness but is likely to suit up for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors. |
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| D.J. Wilson (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Wilson has a left ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors. |
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| Sterling Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Back - 28 / 04 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Brown is battling back spasms but is likely to be available against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Pat Connaughton (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 | 10-6 | 9-7 | + - |
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Connaughton has a left ankle sprain but is likely to play Wednesday against the Thunder. |
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| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Wed | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 10-6 | 9-7 | + - |
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Lopez will not be in Wednesday's lineup as he will be given the night off to rest. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Prob Sat | Nose - 05 / 04 / 19 | 11-7 | 11-7 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is dealing with a nasal fracture but is expected to take the court against the Nets on Saturday. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Prob Thurs | Back - 01 / 04 / 19 | 12-8 | 13-7 | + - |
|
Ilyasova sat out the previous game due to a sore back but it is likely he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Tony Snell (SG) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19 | 15-8 | 15-9 | + - |
|
Snell is sidelined with a left ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pistons. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Fri | Groin - 20 / 03 / 19 | 16-9 | 15-11 | + - |
|
Hill missed the previous game due to soreness in his left groin but is expected to face the Heat on Friday. |
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| Nikola Mirotic (PF) | Prob Sun | Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19 | 16-9 | 15-11 | + - |
|
Mirotic is sidelined due to a fracture in his left thumb but it is likely he will return to action against the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Kennard (SG) | Prob Fri | Foot - 04 / 04 / 19 | 1-7 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Kennard is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Friday despite soreness in his right foot. |
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| Svi Mykhailiuk (SG) | Out indefinitely | Finger - 03 / 04 / 19 | 1-8 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Mykhailiuk will miss an undetermined length of time due to a fractured left index finger. |
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| Langston Galloway (SG) | Ques Mon | Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 | 2-8 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Galloway is under the weather and his status Monday against the Pacers is uncertain. |
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| Luke Kennard (SG) | Prob Wed | Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 | 2-8 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Kennard sat out the last game due to soreness in his right foot but is expected to play against the Pacers on Wednesday. |
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| Wayne Ellington (SG) | Prob Tues | Illness - 26 / 03 / 19 | 5-8 | 6-7 | + - |
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Ellington is ailing from an illness but is expected to play Tuesday against the Nuggets. |
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| Luke Kennard (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 24 / 03 / 19 | 6-8 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Kennard is expected to play against the Warriors on Sunday despite left knee soreness. |
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| Thon Maker (PF) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 24 / 03 / 19 | 6-8 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Maker is dealing with right shoulder soreness but is likely to be available Sunday against the Warriors. |
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| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 16 / 03 / 19 | 8-9 | 9-9 | + - |
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Jackson is dealing with a sore ankle but will likely play Sunday against the Raptors. |
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| Bruce Brown (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19 | 8-10 | 9-10 | + - |
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Brown is likely to be in Friday's lineup versus the Lakers despite right ankle discomfort. |
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| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 13 / 03 / 19 | 8-11 | 9-11 | + - |
|
Jackson left the previous game due to right ankle discomfort but is expected to play against the Lakers on Friday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Apr 2:34pm MIL -8.5 -110 O +217 -110 Closing 20 Apr 11:30pm MIL -10 -115 O +217.5 -115 -
Injuries
D.J. Wilson (PF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19D.J. Wilson (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19Sterling Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Back - 28 / 04 / 19Pat Connaughton (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19Brook Lopez (C)
Out Wed Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Prob Sat Nose - 05 / 04 / 19Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Prob Thurs Back - 01 / 04 / 19Tony Snell (SG)
Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19George Hill (PG)
Prob Fri Groin - 20 / 03 / 19Nikola Mirotic (PF)
Prob Sun Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19Luke Kennard (SG)
Prob Fri Foot - 04 / 04 / 19Svi Mykhailiuk (SG)
Out indefinitely Finger - 03 / 04 / 19Langston Galloway (SG)
Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 04 / 19Luke Kennard (SG)
Prob Wed Foot - 01 / 04 / 19Wayne Ellington (SG)
Prob Tues Illness - 26 / 03 / 19Luke Kennard (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 24 / 03 / 19Thon Maker (PF)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 24 / 03 / 19Reggie Jackson (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 03 / 19Bruce Brown (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19Reggie Jackson (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 13 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes D.J. Wilson (PF) Prob Tues Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19 1-3 3-1 + - Wilson is battling left ankle soreness but is likely to suit up for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
D.J. Wilson (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19 4-3 3-4 + - Wilson has a left ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
Sterling Brown (SG) Prob Tues Back - 28 / 04 / 19 7-4 6-5 + - Brown is battling back spasms but is likely to be available against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Pat Connaughton (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 10-6 9-7 + - Connaughton has a left ankle sprain but is likely to play Wednesday against the Thunder.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Wed Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 10-6 9-7 + - Lopez will not be in Wednesday's lineup as he will be given the night off to rest.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Prob Sat Nose - 05 / 04 / 19 11-7 11-7 + - Ilyasova is dealing with a nasal fracture but is expected to take the court against the Nets on Saturday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Prob Thurs Back - 01 / 04 / 19 12-8 13-7 + - Ilyasova sat out the previous game due to a sore back but it is likely he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday.
Tony Snell (SG) Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19 15-8 15-9 + - Snell is sidelined with a left ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pistons.
George Hill (PG) Prob Fri Groin - 20 / 03 / 19 16-9 15-11 + - Hill missed the previous game due to soreness in his left groin but is expected to face the Heat on Friday.
Nikola Mirotic (PF) Prob Sun Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19 16-9 15-11 + - Mirotic is sidelined due to a fracture in his left thumb but it is likely he will return to action against the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Luke Kennard (SG) Prob Fri Foot - 04 / 04 / 19 1-7 3-5 + - Kennard is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Friday despite soreness in his right foot.
Svi Mykhailiuk (SG) Out indefinitely Finger - 03 / 04 / 19 1-8 4-5 + - Mykhailiuk will miss an undetermined length of time due to a fractured left index finger.
Langston Galloway (SG) Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 2-8 4-6 + - Galloway is under the weather and his status Monday against the Pacers is uncertain.
Luke Kennard (SG) Prob Wed Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 2-8 4-6 + - Kennard sat out the last game due to soreness in his right foot but is expected to play against the Pacers on Wednesday.
Wayne Ellington (SG) Prob Tues Illness - 26 / 03 / 19 5-8 6-7 + - Ellington is ailing from an illness but is expected to play Tuesday against the Nuggets.
Luke Kennard (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 24 / 03 / 19 6-8 7-8 + - Kennard is expected to play against the Warriors on Sunday despite left knee soreness.
Thon Maker (PF) Prob Sun Shoulder - 24 / 03 / 19 6-8 7-8 + - Maker is dealing with right shoulder soreness but is likely to be available Sunday against the Warriors.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 03 / 19 8-9 9-9 + - Jackson is dealing with a sore ankle but will likely play Sunday against the Raptors.
Bruce Brown (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19 8-10 9-10 + - Brown is likely to be in Friday's lineup versus the Lakers despite right ankle discomfort.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 13 / 03 / 19 8-11 9-11 + - Jackson left the previous game due to right ankle discomfort but is expected to play against the Lakers on Friday.