Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in visit to Detroit Pistons

Returning to focus

Having returned to practice Tuesday night following the break, the Bucks are eager to get back into the rhythm before what will be a heated stretch run going into the playoffs.

Of course, the Pistons won’t test the Bucks all that much, barring something unforeseen, but it’s the looming slate of games against East rivals and playoff teams that will give us a consistent look at how the Bucks match up against threats. NBA.com’s John Schuhmann broke down Wednesday how the Bucks have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NBA.

But as Brook Lopez told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez, the Bucks’ collective mindset and focus has been set from the start of the season and he believes it will only bring out the best in everyone when the pressure is truly on:

"“This group is so locked in and so laser-focused on what we need to do night in and night out,” Lopez said. “This is a very unique and special team where that mindset has been there all season long. We’ve been constantly preparing, getting ready, taking each and every night to better ourselves for when the time comes that we need to be at our best.”"

It’s hard to pick apart that statement as the Bucks have continually reinforced their chemistry and cohesion all throughout the year. But it will make for interesting test cases all the same.

The Bucks’ meeting with the Pistons will tip off at 6 p.m. central time Thursday night.