Detroit (64-16)
–1, 193
at Milwaukee (39-41), 8 p.m. Eastern
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The Detroit Pistons and their league-best 64 wins travel west to take on their Central Division foes, the Milwaukee Bucks, Monday night. But while both teams have already clinched playoff spots, they have very different levels of motivation for the remainder of the regular season.
Detroit has clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, so bettors should factor in how much the Pistons have to play for tonight, and how much their starters and key players might play.
Milwaukee may have already clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but still has a lot to play for. The Bucks could end up anywhere from the fifth seed to the eighth seed, depending on how they (and others) do in their last two games. Two Milwaukee wins (they also play Washington Wednesday) will give them the five spot and a first-round date with Cleveland.
The Pistons have won three of their last four games after beating the Knicks 103-97 Sunday for a team-record 64th win. Detroit led by as much as 27 in the early going Sunday but were unable to hang on to cover the 13-point line.
The Bucks backed into the playoffs over the weekend despite losing five of their last seven games. Milwaukee fell to lowly Atlanta at home Saturday 120-114 as 10-point favorites.
Detroit has beaten Milwaukee eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams, including three straight this season. But the Bucks have outrebounded the Pistons in all three meetings this season.
Detroit is 38-39 against the spread this season, 27-13 straight up on the road (2nd-best in the league), 18-21 ats, and just 2-8-2 ats over their last 12 games.
Milwaukee is 39-39 vs. the number this season, 24-16 straight up at home, 17-23 ats.
Detroit on the season is shooting 46% from the floor on the season, 39% (2nd-best in the league) from 3-point range and 73% from the free-throw line.
Milwaukee is shooting 45% from the field this season, 38% (5th-best) from long range and 74% from the line.
The Pistons allow opponents to shoot 45% from the floor, while the Bucks are a little softer on the defensive end, allowing foes to shoot 47% (8th-highest in the league) from the field.
Detroit also owns the best points per game differential in the league, +7.3, while the Bucks come in at –1.1 ppg.
The over/under is a collective 77-79 in Pistons and Bucks games this season.
The Ultimatecapper Pick: Detroit is more concerned with staying healthy, resting and keeping their players healthy for the playoffs. Total sucker line here and we expect the Bucks to win straight up as an underdog.
