The Detroit Pistons (44-37) and Milwaukee Bucks (47-34) will meet in the NBA this afternoon. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Pistons are 7.5-point favorites over the Bucks on the spread (Pistons -7.5), with the over/under set at 224 total points. Detroit is a -300 favorite to win outright, while Milwaukee is +240 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, April 13.
Pistons vs. Bucks Picks, Prediction
Spread
After clinching a top-6 finish, Milwaukee has earned the right to rest several players in Sunday’s season finale against Detroit. However, the Bucks’ success in this head-to-head series, with the Pistons laying 7.5 points as favorites, might still be a bridge too far.
Moneyline
Detroit won’t rest nearly as many players as Milwaukee, with Ausar Thompson being the only Pistons starter ruled out for the game. And with the Pistons on an 0-11 skid in this series, they’ll be desperate to get off to a fast start in the first half.
Over/Under
The total is a bit tricky, given the lack of firepower on the Bucks' side. As a result, while I lean toward the under in this spot, I won’t commit to making it an official play.
My Pick: Pistons First Half Moneyline (-215)
Pistons vs. Bucks Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 224 -110o / -110u | -300 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 224 -110o / -110u | +240 |
- Pistons vs. Bucks spread: Pistons -7.5
- Pistons vs. Bucks over/under: 224 total points
- Pistons vs. Bucks moneyline: Pistons -300, Bucks +240
- Pistons vs. Bucks best bet: Pistons 1H ML (-215)
My Bucks vs. Pistons best bet is on Detroit to win the first half, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs. Bucks Preview
Sunday's game won’t impact the standings, as Milwaukee is already locked into the No. 5 seed, while Detroit will enter the playoffs as the sixth seed. However, Detroit’s decision to list Cade Cunningham as probable signals a strong intent to go for the win in the season finale.
In addition to losing 11 straight games in this series, Milwaukee is just 1-28 in the last 29 meetings.
The Bucks deserve a lot of credit for their dominance, as even as 4.5-point underdogs in Friday’s game, they still managed to secure an outright victory.
However, this time around, they'll be without several key players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, and Kevin Porter Jr. These five players combined for 90 of Milwaukee's points on Friday night.
That said, Milwaukee still boasts a very deep roster, ranking in the top half for points off the bench with 36.2 per game. While Detroit will want to snap this lengthy losing streak, I’m not fully convinced the team will risk heavy workloads for its starters, potentially putting them at risk of injury.
As a result, a first-half play targeting the Pistons makes the most sense for a game that will have no impact on playoff seedings going forward.
Detroit is on a 7-3 run on the first-half moneyline, and given the players available, it should have enough talent to build a lead into the third quarter. After that, it’s likely to be more of a toss-up, especially if the team starts resting its starters.
Pistons vs. Bucks Betting Predictions
Player props could be a bit tricky for this matchup because the workload for some players could be considerably reduced. Therefore, it makes sense to target the players who might exceed their projections in the first half alone.
The Pistons have two players, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, with scoring props that are certainly attainable. Harris has a line of 9.5 points—a number he has cleared in 17 of his last 19 games and five of his last six against the Bucks.
It wouldn't surprise me if he reaches double figures in the first half and then spends the remainder of the game on the bench.
Like Harris, Duren also has a scoring prop of 9.5, which he’s cleared in 10 of his last 11 games and four of six against Milwaukee. Duren should have an easier time inside the paint with Lopez sidelined for the Bucks.
His primary backup, Isaiah Stewart, will miss a second straight game, meaning Duren might have to log a few more minutes than usual. Paul Reed could be another option, but at 6-foot-9 and 210 lbs., he only averages 9.4 minutes per game.
Like Stewart, Duren offers better size at the center position, with players weighing in at 250 lbs. Thus, even if the Pistons decide to rest some players, Duren could still get a heavier share of minutes, as there is no direct replacement for him.
Best Bet: Pistons 1H ML (-215)
Pistons vs. Bucks Parlay Picks
- Tobias Harris Over 9.5 Points
- Jalen Duren Over 9.5 Points
Parlay Payout: +220
Bucks vs. Pistons Betting Trends
