Milwaukee Bucks vs Detroit Pistons (Game 4): Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, USA

When: Monday, April 22nd at 8pm EST

How (TV): TNT

Milwaukee Bucks (Away)

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer {All-Time: 273-219 | ATL, MIL}

Season Record: 60-22

Projected Starting Five: (G) Eric Bledsoe – (G) Sterling Brown – (G/F) Khris Middleton – (F) Giannis Antetokounmpo – (C) Brook Lopez

Top Performers

• F Giannis Antetokounmpo – 27.7 PPG | 12.5 RPG | 5.9 APG
• G/F Khris Middleton – 18.3 PPG | 6.0 RPG | .378 3P%
• G Eric Bledsoe – 15.9 PPG | 5.5 APG | 1.5 SPG

The Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of winning their first seven-game playoff series since 2001, after beating the Detroit Pistons 119-103 in game three. Khris Middleton was Milwaukee’s top scorer with 20 points, while Brook Lopez was close behind with 19 points along with five blocked shots.

MVP candidate, Giannis Antetokounmpo, had a bit of a rough day shooting the ball, as he could only hit one shot outside of the paint. The Greek Freak finished with a modest 14 points on 5 of 13 shooting from the field.

The Bucks got a nice boost from their bench, as George Hill, Ersan Ilyasova, and Nikola Mirotic each hit double figures in scoring. Altogether, the reserve unit combined for 40 points, which exceeds their average of 32 points per game, a figure that covers both the regular season and playoffs.

Detroit Pistons (Home)

Head Coach: Dwane Casey {All-Time: 414-348 | Teams: MIN, TOR, DET}

Season Record: 41-41

Projected Starting Five: (G) Reggie Jackson – (G) Wayne Ellington – (G) Luke Kennard – (F) Blake Griffin – (C) Andre Drummond

Top Performers

• F Blake Griffin – 24.5 PPG | 7.5 RPG | 5.4 APG
• C Andre Drummond – 17.3 PPG | 15.6 RPG | 1.7 BPG
• G Reggie Jackson – 15.4 PPG | 4.2 APG | .369 3P%

Despite getting leading scorer Blake Griffin back into the lineup, the Detroit Pistons were unable to keep the Bucks at bay. Griffin did not show any rust from his absence, as he dropped a game-high 27 points while adding seven rebounds and six assists.

Point guard Reggie Jackson added 15 points and eight assists, while Wayne Ellington chipped in with 13 points.

The Pistons fell short against Milwaukee despite turning over the ball just nine times, which was under their regular season average of 13.8 per game.

What’s At Stake?

The Milwaukee Bucks are in somewhat uncharted territory in the playoffs, as they have not been one win away from advancing to the second round since 2010. Milwaukee was eliminated in seven games that year by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Pistons have now lost eleven straight playoff games dating back to 2009 when they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bucks Are Getting the Shooting Help They Need

Prior to this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was getting ambushed by opposing defenses, with the three-time All-Star not having many three-point shooting options outside of Khris Middleton and Jason Terry. That changed this season, as opponents had to pick their poison between him attacking the rim or kicking out to a sharpshooter.

Even though they ranked in the middle of the league in three-point percentage, the Bucks hit the second most threes in the league, and have stayed hot during the playoffs by hitting 37.4% of their long-range attempts. If they can maintain this consistency, the only ones stopping them from a Finals berth is themselves.

Wayne Ellington Has Cooled Off

After shooting a solid 37.1% from beyond the arc in 53 games with Miami and Detroit, Wayne Ellington has faded somewhat, as he has hit just six of his 19 attempts. The former Carolina Tarheel fared much better in last year’s postseason with the Heat as he shot 40% from deep. Although Luke Kennard is making up for it with his hot shooting, Detroit will need all the firepower they can get to prevent a sweep.

Milwaukee Bucks Roster Notes

F Tony Snell – 17 Apr 2019 – Day to Day (Ankle) – Snell missed game two on Wednesday and is doubtful for game three, according to ESPN.com’s Malika Andrews.

G Malcolm Brogdon – 16 Mar 2019 – Out (Heel) – Brogdon is dealing with a minor plantar fascia in his right foot, and has no timetable for a return according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

G Donte DiVincenzo – 26 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Heel) – DiVincenzo is out for the season with bilateral heel bursitis in his right foot according to ESPN.com’s Malika Andrews.

C Pau Gasol – 23 Mar 2019 – Out (Ankle) – Gasol is expected to be out for a month according to Malika Andrews of ESPN.

Detroit Pistons Roster Notes

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk – 17 Apr 2019 – Day to Day (Finger) – Mykhailiuk missed game two and is questionable to return for game three.

X-Factors: Ersan Ilyasova (MIL) vs Thon Maker (DET)

The matchup to focus on in this game will be between two stretch fours coming off the bench for each team. While neither of them is likely to go off on a scoring rampage, they are capable of putting up a handful of points to help bolster the starters on their respective teams.

Ersan Ilyasova

Power Forward | 6-10, 235lb (208cm, 106kg) | Turkey | Exp. 10 Years

6.8 PPG | 0.8 APG | 4.5 RPG | 0.5 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 0.7 TOV | .438 FG% | .363 3P%

Ersan Ilyasova is a perfect example of a big man with staying power in the league due to his ability to stretch out defenses. A career 36.5% shooter from three-point range, the Turk has bounced around the league before rejoining the team that drafted him in 2005 as an 18-year-old. Although his usage is down, his 15 point performance from game three proves that he has plenty left in the tank.

Thon Maker

Power Forward/Center | 7-1, 221lb (216cm, 100kg) | Athlete Institute Academy (Canada) | Exp. 2 Years

5.0 PPG | 0.7 APG | 3.2 RPG | 0.3 SPG | 0.8 BPG | 0.5 TOV | .407 FG% | .320 3P%

After being hyped on Youtube during his high school days, Thon Maker has had a relatively quiet NBA career thus far. This has been through little fault of his own, as he has been overshadowed by the glut of long rangy athletes like Antetokounmpo and John Henson in Milwaukee. Although the 7-1 specimen has demonstrated a sound ability to make perimeter shots, he offers little outside of that department. At 22 years of age, there is plenty of time for him to realize his potential.

Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons Predictions and Odds

If you reside in New Jersey and want to bet on the Bucks vs Pistons game, you can do so at the following sportsbooks:

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER