Pistons at Bucks
THE STORY: The Pistons come to Milwaukee in search of offense after losing five straight – averaging just 78 points per game during this slide. Detroit is coming off a 100-86 loss to the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, turning the ball over 21 times. The Pistons are third worst in the NBA in turnovers, coughing up the ball 17.1 times per game. The Bucks snapped a four-game skid with a 106-103 victory over San Antonio. Milwaukee returned starting center Andrew Bogut, who missed those four losses dealing with personal problems in his native Australia. He scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his return. Detroit has won three of its last four meetings with Milwaukee, but the Bucks lead the all-time series 115-94 - including a 72-35 edge at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit Plus, FSN North-Wisconsin
ABOUT THE PISTONS (2-8): Detroit head coach Lawrence Frank openly vented his frustration with his team’s current losing streak during his news conference, but went with a much more laid-back approach on his day off before traveling to Milwaukee. The Pistons had an optional practice Wednesday, hoping that the day away from the court would help shake the stink off their recent play.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (3-6): Despite their losing record, the Bucks remain perfect at home. Milwaukee improved to 3-0 inside the Bradley Center with Tuesday’s win over the Spurs. The team is averaging 102 points and shooting nearly 49 percent at home compared to 88.8 points and 40 percent on the road. The Bucks posted their highest point total of the season against San Antonio and shot 51.8 percent from the field.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Detroit is expected to be without starting point guard Rodney Stuckey (groin) and forward Charlie Villanueva (ankle) Thursday.
2. Heading into Thursday’s Central Division matchup with Detroit, Milwaukee is the only team in the NBA to have not played a divisional opponent yet this season.
3. The Bucks went 1-1 versus the Pistons inside the Bradley Center last season – the ninth time in 13 seasons they have split with Detroit at home.