Detroit @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2019 ) Detroit 0, Milwaukee 0

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo has never averaged six assists in a season but that could change this year as he continues to improve his MVP game. The Bucks try for their seventh straight victory when they host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday with coach Mike Budenholzer continuing to create opportunities for Antetokounmpo to make his teammates better.

Antetokounmpo recorded a career-high 15 assists as part of his second triple-double of the season in Thursday's 137-129 victory over Portland, raising his average to 6.6. "I think guys are starting to move better without the ball and cut and screen," Budenholzer told reporters. "I think there's been a little bit of improvement there, and I think that's just going to make us hopefully harder to guard." Detroit erupted for 76 points in the first half en route to a 128-103 romp over Atlanta on Friday that snapped a five-game losing streak. Milwaukee has won the last eight meetings, including four in the first round of the playoffs in April when Antetokounmpo averaged 26.3 points and 12 rebounds.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (5-10): Andre Drummond recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds Friday, raising his average to 18.9 points but lowering his boards to 16.7. Langston Galloway (13.1 points) scored 12 versus Atlanta for his career-best 11th straight game in double figures. Blake Griffin had 24 points in 33 minutes - both season highs - in his fourth contest since missing the first 10 of the season with knee and hamstring injuries.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (12-3): Antetokounmpo, who became the first player in franchise history with at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game, averages 30.1 points after scoring a career-high 27.7 per game last season. Eric Bledsoe has raised his game with second-leading scorer Khris Middleton (leg) out of the lineup as the 10th-year player out of Kentucky has averaged 21.4 points and 5.8 assists in the last five games, raising his season numbers to 18 and 5.3. Donte DiVincenzo moved into the starting lineup to replace Middleton and has responded by averaging 14 points while registering a career-high four straight games in double figures.

TIP-INS

1. Milwaukee is 18-2 versus the Central Division since the start of 2018-19.

2. Friday's first-half point total was Detroit's highest since scoring 77 in a 128-92 victory over Atlanta on Dec. 2, 1983.

3. Antetokounmpo has 15 consecutive double-doubles to start the season - the longest streak since Kevin Love did it with Minnesota in 2011-12. The last player to open a season with 16 was Moses Malone in 1981-82.

PREDICTION: Bucks 120, Pistons 97