Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons NBA Picks & Predictions 12/17/2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

Little Ceasars Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Little Ceasars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons on Monday, December 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 2.5 point favorites.

The Bucks have a record of 19-9. They are 1st in the Central Division. They have a point differential of 9.0 as they average 118.0 points per game while giving up 109.0 per contest. The Pistons have an overall mark of 14-13. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They total 10.9 points per contest and give up 110.0, which is a point differential of -99.1.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-13-0 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-13-0 against the over/under

Important Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 14-13-0 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 13-13-0 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/15/18 SF Khris Middleton Finger is questionable Monday vs Detroit
12/15/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Hamstring is questionable Monday vs Detroit

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/15/18 C Zaza Pachulia Illness is questionable Monday vs Milwaukee
12/12/18 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely
12/07/18 PG Ish Smith Groin is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton comes into this contest averaging 17.4 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 87%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 26.6 points per game in 34.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.1 assists per contest and 13.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 58% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin averages 25.7 points per game while playing 35.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.1 rebounds per game and has 5.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Reggie Jackson averages 15.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 118.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 9.0 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 50.4 rebounds per game and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.5 per game. The Bucks allow 109.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit is 30th in the league with 10.9 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -0.8. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.6 boards per game, and 25th in assists per contest with 21.8. The Pistons are 16th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Pistons surrender 110.0 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 44.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pistons are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.1, and their defensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league. Milwaukee is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Detroit is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Pistons are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 108.3, and their offensive rating of 107.5 is ranked 11th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Bucks/Pistons NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit +2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink