Bucks vs Pistons Picks & Odds (Jan. 23)

• Milwaukee is an 11-point favorite over Detroit in the Bucks vs Pistons odds on Monday night
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is probable after missing the last five games
• Check out the available Bucks vs Pistons odds, plus injury updates and predictions

The Bucks (29-17, 11-12 away) got some much needed good news on Sunday as it appears their franchise star will be ready for their next game. Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the last five contests with a knee injury, but is probable for Monday’s matchup with the Pistons (12-36, 6-17 home).

Antetokounmpo’s pending return drastically changes how Milwaukee is viewed in the NBA odds. Without him, they’d be a small road favorite over a lousy Detroit team. With him, and they’re laying double-digits.

Bucks vs Pistons Odds

Odds as of January 22 at Barstool. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Bucks vs Pistons game.

The Bucks are currently favored by 11 points, in a contest without a total as of Sunday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, with Milwaukee looking to bounce back from a blowout loss in Cleveland.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Bucks were throttled by the Cavs 114-102. Milwaukee shot just 45% from the field and 35% from three, losing the rebounding, assist and turnover battle along the way. They fell for the fourth time in the last six games Antetokounmpo has sat, after previously beating Toronto and Indiana on Monday and Tuesday.

The common theme in the losses without Giannis has been a lack of offense. In each of the last four losses they’ve had without him, Milwaukee has failed to score more than 102 points. The Bucks ranked 19th in offensive rating in their most recent five outings sans Antetokounmpo, and 19th in defensive rating as well.

Bucks Advanced Stats – Last 5 Games

His return comes at a time when Milwaukee is in a dog fight for top spot in the Central division. The Bucks enter play with a one-game lead over the Cavaliers, but it’s not just Giannis that is on his way back.

Antetokounmpo is likely to be joined in Monday’s NBA lineup by the silky smooth Khris Middleton. The Bucks number two option has been battling a knee injury as well, and hasn’t suited up since December 15th. Middleton has played in just seven games all season. He’s averaged at least 20 points in three consecutive seasons, shooting over 40% from three in two of those campaigns.

The Bucks have struggled to generate secondary offense outside of Giannis. The two-time winner in the NBA MVP odds enters play averaging 31 points per game, but no one else on the roster is north of 19 points. Jrue Holiday has shown flashes of being a capable number two scorer this season, but his offensive game can be extremely inconsistent.

Milwaukee would prefer to rely on him for his playmaking and defensive skills, which are both elite. Holiday is ninth in the league in assists, and one of the best guard defenders in the game.

Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

Antetokounmpo and Middleton will have a nice soft landing for their return. The Pistons enter play losers of three in a row and six of their last seven. Detroit has just five wins since December 6th.

The Pistons will play their first game since an International contest in Paris against the Bulls on Thursday. Chicago routed Detroit in front of the french fans 126-108, handing the Pistons their fifth double-digit loss in their last seven outings.

The Pistons are already without former number one pick Cade Cunningham for the season, and could be down another one of their promising young players on Monday. Killian Hayes is dealing with a shoulder contusion he suffered in Paris, and is currently questionable.

#Pistons guard Killian Hayes is questionable for tomorrow's game against the #Bucks due to a left shoulder contusion. https://t.co/gvPTyQUZ8U

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) January 22, 2023

Hayes wasn’t the only Detroit player to get shaken up in France, as starting center Isaiah Stewart is dealing with a shoulder injury as well. He’ll sit on Monday, leaving the Pistons down one of their best rebounders and shot blockers.

Bucks vs Pistons Predictions

Milwaukee has taken the first two meetings between these divisional rivals so far this season. The Bucks won by 2 on Halloween, and then blew out Detroit by 25 two nights later. Both of those games were in Milwaukee with Antetokounmpo scoring 31 and 32 points.

Bucks Win!! pic.twitter.com/IXhKJX6OjW

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 18, 2023

The Bucks didn’t have Middleton for either one of the contests, while the Pistons were at full strength. Detroit is tied for the second fewest home victories in the league, and have struggled to to cover games even when being spotted double-digit points.

The Pistons are just 8-12-1 against the spread at home, and have failed to cover in each of their past three outings where they were a +11 underdog or greater. Their average margin of defeat in those games, is a staggering 20.6 points.

With Giannis and Middleton back, and Detroit shorthanded, expect a comfortable Bucks victory.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -11 (-110)