The Milwaukee Bucks' focus was straight on the double header against the Detroit Pistons to close out the regular season after beating the New Orleans Pelicans 136-111 on Thursday.

While coach Doc Rivers was clearly pleased with the win, there was no hiding that the Pistons games were of more importance given their potential to decide the playoff seedings.

"First is going into the playoffs healthy," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said, while speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We have an entire week after these two games to get ready for whoever our opponent is.

"Or at least five days. That will get us rest and that will get us ready."

Just one victory from the two Pistons games will see the Bucks nail down the number five seed going into the playoffs.

Lose both of them, and they will have to settle for sixth place.

"It's going to be a great experience," Rivers said. "I'm looking forward to it. I think the crowd in Detroit is going to be amazing.

"They're going to play hard. They're going to play well. And we're going to have to match it. I can't think of better scenario going into the playoffs than this."

Six wins in a row.

Tied for the longest active streak in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/wm3SfsDxT2

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 11, 2025

Against the Pelicans, meanwhile, Rivers checked Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the game with 2:41 left on the clock in the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo finished on 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists having been on court for just 26 minutes, tantalisingly close to a fourth straight triple-double.

"You want to kind of like finish what you started," Antetokounmpo said. "Have trust in my teammates, I know they can finish the game in a situation like that when my coaching staff told me to go in the back and get ready for the next game.

"We've been playing good basketball. We trust one another. The ball is going in.

"I feel like we feed off our defence. We get the energy and then offensively, when we play good defense, it makes things easier for us. When the ball is moving, we have great shooters, we are one of the best shooting teams in the NBA.

"And when you're able to create a wide-open look for teammate, most likely the ball is going to go in. We're feeding off our defense, we try to get three stops in a row multiple times in a game."