The Milwaukee Bucks (10-14) host the surging Detroit Pistons (18-5) in a Central Division clash that could serve as a turning point for the Bucks’ faltering season. Milwaukee, teetering on the edge of the Western Conference play-in bubble at 11th, is desperate to snap a four-game losing streak against a Pistons team that’s emerged as a surprise contender, holding the 2nd spot in the East with a blend of youth, grit, and veteran savvy. Detroit’s high-octane offense (4th in NBA scoring at 120.3 PPG) will test the Bucks’ leaky defense (24th, allowing 116.8 PPG), while Milwaukee’s star power—led by Giannis Antetokounmpo—aims to exploit the Pistons’ relative inexperience on the road. Injuries have hit both sides, but Detroit’s depth gives them the edge in what shapes up as a high-stakes, fast-paced affair with playoff implications brewing early.
Game Information
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Capacity: 17,500; Home of the Milwaukee Bucks since 2018, located at 1111 N 4th St in downtown Milwaukee; known for its modern design and Bucks’ 70% home win rate)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Detroit (Pistons), Bally Sports Wisconsin (Bucks), NBA TV national; Streaming on NBA League Pass; Radio on 620 WTMJ for Bucks fans
Officials: To be announced (NBA assigns 1-2 days prior)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Home/Away Split | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 10-14 (.417) | 6-9 East | 6-6 Home / 4-8 Away | 9-14-1 | 11-13 |
| Detroit Pistons | 18-5 (.783) | 11-3 East | 9-2 Home / 9-3 Away | 13-10 | 12-10-1 |
The Pistons boast the East’s best road record, while the Bucks struggle at home (6-6, 4-8 ATS).
Recent Team Forms
Milwaukee’s skid has exposed defensive frailties, while Detroit rides a six-game win streak, blending elite shooting with suffocating pressure (8th in steals at 8.2 per game).
Milwaukee Bucks (0-5 in last 5 games):
Dec 4: L 113-120 @ Chicago Bulls (outscored in paint 58-44; Antetokounmpo 35 points but 5 turnovers)
Dec 2: L 108-115 vs. New York Knicks (cold from deep at 29.4% 3PT; allowed 14-2 run to close)
Nov 30: L 122-128 @ Boston Celtics (high-scoring loss; Lillard 28 points, but 16 team turnovers)
Nov 28: L 99-110 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (defensive collapse; 48% FG allowed)
Nov 26: L 106-112 @ Indiana Pacers (edged in divisional battle; poor rebounding 42-50)
Bucks average 114.2 PPG (12th) but have yielded 118.6 PPG in the skid, with home games averaging 225.4 total points.
Detroit Pistons (5-0 in last 5 games):
Dec 4: W 131-118 @ Toronto Raptors (Cade Cunningham’s triple-double: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists)
Dec 2: W 125-109 vs. Orlando Magic (balanced attack; 49.2% FG, 14 threes)
Nov 30: W 112-105 @ Cleveland Cavaliers (clutch road win; Ivey 24 points off bench)
Nov 28: W 138-120 vs. Charlotte Hornets (season-high scoring; dominated transition 28-12)
Nov 26: W 116-102 @ Washington Wizards (efficient 52% shooting; 12 steals forced 18 turnovers)
Pistons score 120.3 PPG on the road (3rd) and limit opponents to 108.7 PPG away (7th defensively).
Injury Report
Both teams are banged up, but Milwaukee’s absences hit harder at the guard spot. Detroit’s frontcourt questions loom large against Giannis. Latest as of December 5 post-shootaround (finals pending):
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| Bucks | Damian Lillard | PG | OUT | Left Achilles tendinitis | Dec 10 |
| Bucks | Khris Middleton | SF | QUESTIONABLE | Right ankle sprain | Dec 6 (GTD) |
| Bucks | Bobby Portis | PF | OUT | Right knee contusion | Dec 8 |
| Bucks | AJ Green | SG | OUT | G League assignment | N/A |
| Bucks | Tyler Smith | SF | DAY-TO-DAY | Shoulder strain | Dec 6 |
| Pistons | Tobias Harris | SF | OUT | Left hamstring strain | Dec 12 |
| Pistons | Jalen Duren | C | QUESTIONABLE | Right wrist sprain | Dec 6 |
| Pistons | Ron Holland II | SG | OUT | Left ankle sprain | Dec 9 |
| Pistons | Malik Beasley | SG | PROBABLE | Illness | Dec 6 |
| Pistons | Isaiah Stewart | PF | OUT | Knee surgery recovery | January 2026 |
Without Lillard (24.3 PPG, 7.0 APG), the Bucks lean on Antetokounmpo (30.4 PPG). Duren’s status (11.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG) is pivotal for Detroit’s rebounding edge.
Key Player Matchups
Detroit’s athleticism challenges Milwaukee’s half-court sets, but the Bucks’ size could dominate inside if Middleton plays. Pace (Pistons 5th at 101.2 possessions) favors the visitors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks PF, 30.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG) vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Pistons PF, 22.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG): Giannis’ paint dominance (65% FG) vs. Jackson’s shot-blocking (2.3 BPG). Jackson’s held bigs under 50% inside lately; if Duren sits, mismatches abound.
Pat Connaughton (Bucks SG, filling in, 10.2 PPG) vs. Cade Cunningham (Pistons PG, 23.7 PPG, 8.2 APG): Connaughton’s D (1.1 SPG) tests Cunningham’s playmaking. Pistons’ guards force 14.5 turnovers per game; Milwaukee’s backcourt depth is thin.
Brook Lopez (Bucks C, 12.6 PPG, 5.2 BPG) vs. Jalen Duren (Pistons C, QUES., 11.2 PPG): Lopez’s spacing (38% 3PT) vs. Duren’s rolling (1.2 BPG). If Duren plays, it’s a rebound war (Pistons 6th in offensive boards).
Brook Lopez (Bucks C, 12.6 PPG, 5.2 BPG) vs. Ausar Thompson (Pistons SF, 9.8 PPG, 1.6 SPG): Thompson’s versatility disrupts Lopez’s drop coverage.
Bench: Pistons’ Jaden Ivey (18.4 PPG) vs. Bucks’ MarJon Beauchamp for explosion.
Series History
Detroit has owned recent meetings, winning 7 of the last 10 amid Milwaukee’s divisional struggles (average total: 222.7 points). Over 140 regular-season games:
All-Time Record: Bucks 78-62
At Fiserv Forum: Bucks 42-28
Last 10 Meetings: Pistons 7-3
Recent Results:
Oct 22, 2025: Pistons 122-113 (season opener; Cunningham 31 points)
Mar 14, 2025: Pistons 115-108 @ Bucks
Jan 16, 2025: Bucks 127-118
Nov 21, 2024: Pistons 112-98
Mar 14, 2024: Bucks 123-113
Jan 16, 2024: Pistons 115-108
Pistons are 6-4 ATS in last 10; overs in 5 of last 7 (avg. 228.1 points).
Betting Trends
Pistons 9-1 SU in last 10 overall; 7-3 ATS vs. Central foes.
Bucks 1-9 SU in last 10, 3-7 ATS as home dogs.
Over cashed in 7 of Pistons’ last 9 road games; line up from 224.5 on scoring models.
Sharp money: 62% handle on Pistons -3.5, 58% on Over.
Game Odds
Milwaukee Bucks 224.5
Detroit Pistons – 12.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
