MILWAUKEE – The struggling Milwaukee Bucks face a tall task to get back on track as they host the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night (Thursday morning, Singapore time).

Just 11 days will separate matchups between these teams after Detroit handled the Bucks 129-116 in Milwaukee on Nov 22. They will also face off in Detroit on Saturday night.

That win for Detroit was No. 12 of 13 in a row before they dropped back-to-back games against Boston and Orlando. Since then, they have won two straight one-possession games – 138-135 at Miami on Saturday and 99-98 over Atlanta at home on Monday.

Pistons star Cade Cunningham shined late against the Hawks, scoring eight of his 18 points in the final 3:21.

“(Cunningham has) developed in understanding and a belief, the timing and rhythm of when,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Time and time again, he does the job when we need him to do it most. He embraces that role and he loves to do it for us.”

Cunningham has excelled for Detroit in his fifth season by averaging 28.2 points and 9.3 assists per game.

The Bucks will have to be wary of him, and their own poor form.

Milwaukee, who have lost eight of their last nine games, is coming off perhaps their most disappointing loss of the season. They held a 16-point lead in the second half at Washington but fell 129-126.

“I didn’t think we played right. They had 18 more shots than us,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said, assessing his team’s troubles.

Star man Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the squad with 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Ryan Rollins adds 17.7 points, 5.8 assists and 1.6 steals.

The Pistons snapped a 13-game losing streak against Milwaukee the last time they played. Detroit looks to clinch at least a split in the four-game season series for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.

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