The Milwaukee Bucks will look to continue their offensive onslaught and extend their winning streak to seven games Monday night as they clash with the visiting Detroit Pistons.
The Bucks have not lost since Dec. 18 and are averaging 124 points over their past six games. They have topped 120 points in four of those contests, including their most recent, a 136-113 victory over the Pelicans on Saturday.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists on 12-of-18 shooting to record his second triple-double of the season. Jordan Nwora added 23 points off the bench, Jrue Holiday had 21 and Grayson Allen stepped up with 16 in Khris Middleton’s absence.
“Giannis, Jrue and Khris have had very solid games, very consistent games,” Allen said. “Everybody from the bench is contributing. I think it’s just everyone clicking and everyone having their night, and it’s really fun to see and fun to be a part of.”
Middleton is listed as day-to-day after missing the game against New Orleans due to personal reasons.
In addition, the Bucks will be without Donte DiVincenzo on Monday, after he sprained his left ankle Saturday in warmups. Semi Ojeleye and Thanasis Antetokounmpo also are sidelined due to the NBA’s health and safety protocol.
Players such as Nwora often have had to fill different roles with the frequently changing rotation, but they have been sticking to Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s game plan.
“We’re going to keep winning games, and I’ll be ready when somebody’s down,” said Nwora, in his second season with the Bucks. “Bud knows what he’s doing. We won a championship with him last year. Been a great team long before I was here.”
The Pistons are coming off a thrilling 117-116 win in overtime Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs as Saddiq Bey hit a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in the extra period.
Hamidou Diallo scored a season-high 34 points on 13-of-32 shooting from the field and added 14 rebounds. Bey contributed 21 points, and Luka Garza collected 20 points and 14 rebounds to tally his first career double-double. Cassius Stanley added 19 points.
“I was happy for everybody, especially the G League guys that came in,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “It’s not easy, because it wasn’t pretty, but they played hard.”
Detroit will have to continue to heavily rely on its younger talent with Jerami Grant awaiting re-evaluation of his thumb injury and Kelly Olynyk sidelined as he continues to rehab his sprained left knee. Frank Jackson is out with a sprained right ankle.
Seven Pistons are in the health and safety protocol, but Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Rodney McGruder and Saben Lee entered the protocol on Dec. 23, so a return on Monday is possible. Cade Cunningham is questionable as he continues to recondition after spending time in the protocol.
Saturday’s win over San Antonio snapped a four-game losing streak for Detroit, but the Pistons still have dropped 18 of their past 20 games. They have lost 10 in a row on the road, with their most recent win coming Nov. 13 in Toronto.
Monday’s game will be the third meeting in the four-game season series. Milwaukee has taken the first two games by an average margin of 24.5 points.
–Field Level Media
