The Detroit Pistons are 13-2 and sitting atop the Eastern Conference, but none of that matters until they prove they can beat the teams that have long dominated them, and that includes the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pistons are a pathetic 11-35 against Milwaukee since Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the league and seven of those wins came in the Greek Freak’s first three seasons, when he was not yet one of the best players in the world.
After those first three seasons? The Pistons are 4-30 against the Bucks, who have long been the gatekeepers of the Central Division.
Every rising team has a big brother that has been beating the tar out of them for years before they finally break through, and the Bucks have played that role against the Pistons.
Giannis is obviously the driving force behind that, so until the Pistons start beating him regularly, he and the Bucks still have their number regardless of the standings.
The Pistons will get a chance Saturday, but they will have to wait to see Giannis.
Detroit Pistons: Unfortunate injuries working in the Pistons’ favor
Giannis got some good news about his injured groin, which is that he will only have to miss 1-2 weeks, which is positive news, as it looked like it could have been worse.
You never want to see injuries, but it’s something that has been plaguing the NBA this season, with the Pistons in the thick of it with several injuries of their own. Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser and Tobias Harris are still out, and Caris LeVert is day-to-day.
The Bucks will be missing Giannis for Saturday's road game in Milwaukee, and possibly again on December 3rd when the Pistons go back to the Cheese State for another game against the Bucks.
I know these are games the Pistons have circled on their calendars, as they want to show the Bucks that there is a new powerhouse to contend with in the Eastern Conference. In the end, the games go on, so the Pistons have to show up and play hard even though Milwaukee will not be at full strength either.
With or without Giannis, this won’t be an easy game for Detroit, who has to stay focused, play their game, and not let injuries distract them from the job at hand, which is to beat the team that has been beating up on them for over a decade.
They won’t get their first shot at Giannis until later in the season, but the Pistons need to send a message tonight, which is that it is not business as usual in the Central any longer.