Milwaukee, WI
Pistons vs. Bucks: Detroit eliminated from NBA Cup with blowout loss to Milwaukee
The Detroit Pistons are not going to Las Vegas.
Facing the Milwaukee Bucks with a chance to clinch a bid in the NBA Cup’s Knockout Rounds, you could make a pretty good argument that this was the biggest basketball game in Detroit since Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Playoffs — ironically, also against Milwaukee.
The Pistons got throttled that night and, thanks to a pitiful defensive effort on Tuesday, they got their butts whooped again in a 128-107 loss at Little Caesars Arena.
The Central Division rivals entered the night 3-0 in the Group B standings. With the win, the Bucks move on while the Pistons, who had a pathway to have advance via a convoluted tiebreaker and a wild-card entry, will stay home and continue with the regular season.
Honestly, this one was over midway through the second quarter. The Bucks shot 74% in that period and exploded on a 14-0 run that took a semi-competitive game into a blowout.
Detroit has played decent defense at times this season, but Damian Lillard and Milwaukee bombed away early and often. The star point guard finished with 27 points and five triples as the Pistons gave up a whopping 22 threes.
Taurean Prince, AJ Green, Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. and even Andre Jackson Jr. looked like they were in the 3-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend.
As for the Pistons’ offense, they played pretty well thanks to a balanced attack.
Led by Cade Cunningham’s 23 points, Jalen Duren (11), Tim Hardaway Jr. (15) and Tobias Harris (16) all scored in double figures. Duren, in particular, has really struggled with the Bucks and having to guard Giannis. He fared well tonight and has played well lately.
Normally a reliable defender against a guy like Giannis, Isaiah Stewart was a non-factor tonight. He scored nine but he fouled out in the third quarter.
Malik Beasley had one of those rough nights he’s prone to having after torching his former team the last time they faced off. I mean, it’s hard to get your ass kicked when you shoot 50% from the field and over 40% from three most of the night.
The Pistons found a way.
I’m not sure what this says about them. Maybe nothing.
They’re an improved team, but they’re far from the Bucks — who are still lightyears more talented and capable than their 10-9 record lets on. I think Detroit is still short on defensive talent, and that shows in games against teams like this.
A large part of being a good defensive team is effort. The less defensive personnel you have, the harder you have to play on that end. This team struggles with balancing the effort on both ends. That’s not acceptable, but it’s at least understandable.
I think the Bucks are a team that exposes another weak spot: Secondary ball handling. Cade really has to work to get to his spots against the Bucks length and size. Jaden Ivey is fine as a secondary ball handler, but his dynamic ability as the primary guy doesn’t translate.
Outside of them, you’re left with guys who you’d rather not handle the ball extensively. Detroit would be so much better if they had a big wing who could hit some shots, defend and handle the ball respectably.
And hey, before you type that comment: I know, 80% of the NBA wants that guy.
I keep waiting for Ausar Thompson’s minutes to rise and for his fitness to get back to normal. I think he can cure a lot of what ails that starting lineup — defending, hitting some open shots (Vinson effect!) and defending like a demon — he’s just not ready right now.
It sucks that the Pistons aren’t moving on. I was excited for this game and it would have been really fun to see them head to Vegas and replicate what the Indiana Pacers did last season.
Maybe this NBA Cup isn’t as silly as we thought it was when it started last year?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
The Brewers drafted 20 players over the course of 20 rounds in the 2026 MLB Draft, including first-round shortstop Trey Ebel, second-round outfielder Sawyer Strosnider, Wilmot Union HS (Wisconsin) shortstop Chance Ruby, and CC Sabathia’s son, first baseman Carsten Sabathia III. The team now has until 4 p.m. CT on July 27 to sign each draft pick. We’ll keep track of the signees below.
Milwaukee’s total signing bonus pool is $8,042,900, which can be allocated as the team chooses (i.e., slot bonuses are not the guaranteed signing value). Rounds 11-20 automatically have $150,000 allocated to the slot — money given to these picks only counts toward the bonus pool if they exceed $150,000. Teams that exceed their bonus pool face financial penalties, with higher thresholds resulting in the loss of future picks.
Division-leading Brewers aim to avoid series sweep against Skenes and the Pirates
Having won two of their last three series, the Pittsburgh Pirates return home to PNC Park on Sunday afternoon for a matinee matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers in search of a third straight victory and their first series sweep since May in the final game before the All-Star Break. The Brewers are 23 games over .500 as the season hits the mid-Summer Classic, but are in danger of being swept for the first time since April during their season-longest six-game losing skid. Milwaukee will send left-hander Robert Gasser (2-3, 4.15 ERA) to the mound in search of his third win in his last four starts, while the Pirates will counter with three-time All-Star Paul Skenes, who is looking for just his second win since mid-May.
How to Watch Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates:
Date: July 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates
Location: PNC Park
Live Stream the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start watching now!
Skenes (7-8, 3.58 ERA), now in his third season in the majors, has struggled to replicate the success he had in his first two seasons, where he took home NL Rookie of the Year Award followed by the NL Cy Young Award the following year, having posted just one victory in his last 10 starts. The 24-year-old right-hander had his worst outing of the season on July 1 when he gave up seven earned runs, including a pair of home runs, in just four innings as part of a 10-6 loss to the Phillies.
Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers leads the team with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs this season, both marking career highs for the 30-year-old journeyman. Bauers broke into the majors in 2018 with Tampa Bay, but had bounced around the league playing in Cleveland, Seattle, and with the Yankees before landing the everyday job with Milwaukee in 2024, helping the Brewers make consecutive playoff appearances.
What time is Brewers vs Pirates?
Coverage of the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game starts Sunday, July 12, at 12:00 p.m ET. Tune in to see if the Brewers can avoid the series sweep or if Skenes can find his form and lead the Pirates to the home win.
What channel is the Brewers vs Pirates game on?
Looking to watch the game? Subscribers can tune to MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates to catch the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup at home or on the go with the Fubo TV app.
Watch the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start watching now!
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WEST ALLIS, Wis.– IndyCar racers test-drive at the Milwaukee Mile ahead of the August doubleheader.
The IndyCar Series has back-to-back races at the track on August 29 and August 30.
Racers had the rare opportunity to practice laps in West Allis on Wednesday, July 8.
“It’s a tough place; it’s a very tough course,” said four-time IndyCar series champion Álex Palou. “I feel like every time I come here, the car and the driving feels very different.”
Palou currently leads the 2026 IndyCar Series in points and will race the Milwaukee Mile next month.
“It just makes everything super close, especially being the second to last event of the year and having two races ” said Palou. “If you have a good weekend, it’s great, but if you don’t, you can be crying after it.”
The IndyCar Series consists of 18 races across the United States and Canada.
Milwaukee is the only doubleheader race on the schedule, making the event worth double the points and potentially swinging the series championship leaderboard.
“It’s one of those tracks that you need a car that gives you a lot of confidence, but you need to have confidence in this place as well.”
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden is eager to get back on the Milwaukee Mile.
“It’s the most historic racetrack that you’ll find in North America, and it’s very historic when you think of IndyCar,” said Newgarden. “I’ve always wanted to be back here.”
According to the Wisconsin State Fair website, the Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world.
The first automobile race was held there in 1903 on a dirt track. Cars similar to IndyCars first competed on the West Allis track in 1933.
“I love this market,” said Newgarden. “I think Milwaukee’s a great place to race and we’ve got a good fan base here.”
The IndyCar Series raced at the Milwaukee Mile annually from 2004 to 2015. The track did not host the series from 2016 through 2023. IndyCar returned in 2024 and has raced there each year since.
The Milwaukee Mile will host the IndyCar Series for the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday, August 29, and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday, August 30.
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