2019 NBA Playoffs: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons preview

Predictions

It’s obvious from the seeding and the net ratings that these are two very different teams. The Milwaukee Bucks have spent their season dominating the league and proving that they should be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference.

Blake Griffin is having a phenomenal season, and has the talent to completely take over a series. Yet across the ledger, Giannis Antetokounmpo is more talented and has less health issues to deal with. For Detroit to pull off something crazy, it will need immediate improvements from the entire roster; it will need to reach a level not seen all season.

Barring something shocking, the Pistons are losing this series. The question is whether or not they can prevent a sweep. A healthy (or healthy-enough) Blake Griffin could have the singular performance that defines his tenure in Detroit and nets a playoff win, but it’s nearly impossible to imagine having four such contests to advance.

In the end, the uncertainty around Griffin, the inability to guard the Bucks’ best player and the sheer talent disparity levels this one out. Milwaukee should cruise to the second round.

Prediction: Bucks in 4 games