The Detroit Pistons look to continue their early-season success Saturday, bringing an 11-game winning streak to Milwaukee for their first matchup against the rival Bucks, who will not have superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Pistons come in rested, having not played since their back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday when they beat visiting Indiana 127-112 and host Atlanta 120-112.
In the latter, Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points and 10 assists while Jalen Duren added 24 points with eight assists. Duncan Robinson and Daniss Jenkins each added 14 points.
“We decided to do what we do best and that’s guard,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “When we do that, it triggers our offense and gives us opportunity to create some separation.”
Cunningham is off to a stellar start, averaging 27.2 points and just shy of 10 assists per game. Duren has starred down low, averaging just shy of 12 boards along with 20.6 ppg.
“Cade is in the heir of superstars, he thrives in that moment,” Bickerstaff said. “We’ll never be a one man band, Cade is a superstar, but he’s uplifted by his teammates in those moments also.”
In its first game of a one-to-two week stretch without Antetokounmpo (groin strain), Milwaukee fell for the third straight game 123-114 in overtime Thursday night at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ryan Rollins shined for Milwaukee with 32 and 14 assists, while Bobby Portis, starting in place of Antetokounmpo, scored 19 with eight boards.
“Our execution at times tonight, I get it we have different guys, but we just have to do better,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “When the ball stuck, we didn’t score, when the ball was moving, we got whatever we wanted all night. We worked on that for two days because you anticipate things breaking down not having Giannis.”
Rollins is averaging 18.3 points and 5.9 assists to lead the Bucks without Giannis’ gaudy 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists averages on the floor. Myles Turner is averaging 1.6 blocks along with 12.4 points.
“When we move the ball, we always get good shots, we have very good shooters on this team,” Rollins said. “Ball is more in my hands (without Giannis), it’s just natural. Take the responsibility, go out there and make the plays.”
Elsewhere on the injury front for the Bucks, they are still without Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) and Taurean Prince (neck), though Porter Jr. is on track for an early December return.
For Detroit, Tobias Harris (ankle) and Jaden Ivey were recalled from the G League on Thursday and should return to practice. Harris is questionable for Saturday. Caris Levert (ankle) missed Tuesday’s game and is expected to play.
The Bucks have dominated the series lately, having won 13 consecutive games and 25 of 26. They needed overtime in two of the four victories a season ago, including a regular-season finale in which most impact players were inactive.
Milwaukee has won the season-series seven seasons in a row. Detroit has not outright won the season series since the 2015-16 season.
