ZT dives into his pick and prediction for the Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons matchup on Saturday as part of the seven-game NBA schedule.

The Bucks and Pistons played each other on Wednesday for the first time this season in a big game that had everyone’s attention because of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade rumors. Giannis only played a few minutes in that game before sustaining a calf injury, though, which will keep him sidelined for this rematch, scheduled to tip off in the Motor City at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Bucks went on to win that game against the Pistons–even without Giannis. Can they defeat Detroit again on Saturday or will the Pistons power their way to a revenge win?

Here’s a Pistons vs. Bucks prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s matchup.

Pistons vs. Bucks prediction, preview

The Bucks were just getting healthy and whole before Giannis’s latest injury. They had been without Kevin Porter Jr. for most of the year since he missed 19 games with meniscus and ankle injuries. Porter left just nine minutes into the season opener, and he returned for one game before Giannis went down with his calf injury. Even that one game they both played, Porter left early with back spasms after scoring 30 points in 31 minutes.

After parting ways with Damian Lillard this offseason, the Bucks’ plan was to have Porter and Ryan Rollins in the backcourt to support Giannis. They’ll have to wait to see how that works until Giannis returns, but they’ll do their best to stay afloat until then with Porter and Rollins carrying most of the workload. For his part, KPJ has looked excellent in his limited games available this season, and he led the Bucks to the win after Giannis exited on Wednesday.

The team couldn’t duplicate that result on Friday, though, as it lost to the Sixers 116-101 to fall to 10-14 on the season and it’s just 3-7 on the road.

The

The Bucks will be on the road for this rematch against the Pistons, who bounced back from Wednesday’s loss by beating the Trail Blazers on Friday. That win improved their record to an impressive 18-5 on the season and 9-2 at home. The Pistons should be mostly healthy for this game, although it is the second game of a back-to-back, so they could try to get some players rest, so be sure to double-check the injury report.

The Pistons’ fast start has been fueled by excellent play from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. After a down game Wednesday, Cunningham bounced back with 29 points and nine assists on Friday, including 13 points and three assists in the fourth quarter as the Pistons erased a deficit and climbed into the lead. Duren finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Ronald Holland II chipped in 17 points off the bench.

The Pistons will look to get similar production from their two stars on Saturday night after both stars had down games in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Duren had just eight points and six rebounds in that game while Cunningham went 5-for-15 from the field and finished with just 17 points in the loss.

Pistons vs. Bucks pick, best bet

DraftKings Sportsbook has the Pistons as -12.5 favorites tonight with -675 odds on the Moneyline. The Bucks are +490 underdogs to win outright with the game total set at 224.5 points. As for betting splits, 89% of the bets on the moneyline are with the Pistons but only 63% of the handle. Against the spread, 54% of the bets are on the Pistons but 68% of the handle. Those numbers indicate that the bigger bets are leaning toward the Bucks on the moneyline and the Pistons against the spread.

Top pick: MIL Bucks under 105.5 points (-120)

The Bucks had 113 points at home in their win over the Pistons this week but only managed 101 points in their road loss to the 76ers. With both teams on the second night of a back-to-back, the pace of this game could be a little slower overall. The Pistons have been very solid defensively at home, ranking in the top-10 in fewest points allowed per game at home and fifth in defensive rating at home. Especially without Giannis, I think the Bucks’ offense will struggle on the road on the second night of the back-to-back.

Strong Lean: Ausar Thompson over 18.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists

Thompson has averaged 20.5 PRA (points, rebounds and assists) this season and has gone over this PRA total in three of his last four games, including Wednesday’s matchup against the Bucks. Thompson hit the over in his last back-to-back as well and is averaging 22.5 PRA in his eight home games this season.