NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks to meet the Detroit Pistons in Detroit at their home ground
The Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons meet at the Palace of Auburn Hills, in Detroit on Friday.
Although the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the top defensive teams in the NBA this season, they have struggled to put the ball into the basket consistently.
The Bucks have struggled in their opening 14 matches, and are currently on a five-game losing streak -- their first since 2008-09.
Statistical Comparison
The Milwaukee Bucks (5-9) has been successful in limiting their opponents to a league-low average of 90.5 points, and a shooting percentage of 42.8 percent per game. Unfortunately, the Bucks also have the worst scoring record in the National Basketball League
(NBA), 90.6 points on 40.9 percent from the field.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles was very unhappy with his team after their 83-81 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Milwaukee were shooting 37.8 percent (31 of 82) overall, and the Cavaliers outscored them in the third quarter 49-37 after going into
half-time at 31-24.
Skiles said later, "We were a little bit soft on both ends. They got back in it. We have to assume just because we're up, we're not going to blow them out. When plays need to be made and when we really need to execute, we're just kind of milling
around and not being real professional about it.”
"As a result, we're 5-9 and that's one of the main reasons why."
Pistons and their third quarter complications
The Detroit Pistons are 5-10 for the season, and the main reason are their poor third quarter performances. The Pistons have the NBA's worst third period record of 38.9 percent, with an average of 21.1 points.
The Memphis Grizzlies outscored the Pistons 33-18 in the third quarter on their way to 105-84 win over the Pistons on Wednesday. The Grizzlies were shooting 49.7 percent in the same quarter.
Pistons coach John Kuester said after the Grizzlies game, "I've got to do a better job of getting us more prepared going into that third period. We had that edge going into the Dallas game (an 88-84 loss Tuesday). I thought we competed for four
quarters. We didn't compete for four quarters tonight."
The Detroit Pistons will try to make their utmost effort to win on their home ground. They have already dropped four out of five, and can’t afford to let that happen again.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who lost three road games by four points or less, won on their last visit to Auburn Hills in February 91-85. The Bucks had a split of the four game season even with their 38.3 shooting percent. John Salmons scored a team-high 19 points,
and made his Milwaukee debut in that game.
Andrew Bogut scored 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Carlos Delfino, a former Detroit Pistons player scored 16 points and six assists in the matchup.
Injuries
Unfortunately both of the above mentioned players won’t be able to play in this game. Bogut has back spasms and also missed his Wednesday’s game, while Delfino has already been sidelined for the last seven games because of a neck strain.
Jennings to jump ahead
Brandon Jennings, who plays point guard for the Bucks, will look to showcase his skills and clinch the game for his team. He has been shooting 25.5 percent (12 of 47) in the last three games they won. Jennings was 7 for 33 from the floor in two games against
Detroit Pistons last season.
Rodney Stuckey was the Pistons leading scorer, with an average of 15.8 points and 7.3 assists, against the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
The Pistons also have Richard Hamilton, who scored 27 points against the Washington Wizards last week.
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