Bucks Zone

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic probable to play vs. Detroit Pistons

Jae Crowder makes his return to the lineup while Goran Dragic debuts.
Matthew Dugandzic|
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic probable to play vs. Detroit Pistons
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic probable to play vs. Detroit Pistons

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Milwaukee BucksDetroit Pistons

The Milwaukee Bucks head to Detroit looking to impose their will against the worst team in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons. With the Boston Celtics just a game-and-a-half behind in the race for the best record in the Eastern Conference and the entire league, the Bucks cannot afford to let their guard down. Fortunately for Milwaukee, it appears that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will be playing, as will backup forward Jae Crowder. Veteran guard Goran Dragic, who the team signed after he was waived by the Chicago Bulls, is also set to make his Bucks debut.

Bounceback game

The Bucks are coming off a 129-106 loss to the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets last Saturday, which may mean bad news for the Pistons. Milwaukee has the perfect opportunity to bounce back against a Detroit team that is 1-9 in their last 10 games. With Giannis leading the way, the Bucks should be confident of taking care of business on Monday night.

Giannis is listed as probable despite soreness in his right knee, which bodes well for a Bucks squad that has its eye on locking down the top spot in the East and the entire NBA, which means home-court advantage throughout the NBA Playoffs. Giannis is in the midst of another MVP-contending season with averages of 31.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists for the Bucks.

More help is on the way

After missing several games due to soreness in his left calf, Crowder is slated to return to the lineup and provide his usual 3-and-D production for the Bucks. The defensive-minded forward currently averages 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game as well as 39% from beyond the arc on three attempts per contest.

The 36-year-old Dragic is also expected to suit up for Milwaukee and make his long-awaited Bucks debut. With the playoffs nearing, it is incumbent upon both the aging veteran and Crowder to get up to speed quickly as Milwaukee seeks another deep postseason run.

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.