Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/9/2023

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Where to watch: MSG, BSWI

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Bucks: 25-14

Knicks: 22-18

Bucks: lost 138-109 vs. Hornets

Knicks: won 112-109 at Raptors

There’s been some inconsistencies on both sides for the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks going into Monday’s game.

 

The Bucks are a respectable 25-14 but have won just three of five after losing four in a row featuring three of the top teams in the NBA. The Knicks aren’t any better with four straight wins, all against inferior opponents at the moment, after losing five in a row with some questionable performances against Toronto and San Antonio.

 

New York did bounce back this past week against both of those teams, but won by a combined seven points and failed to cover as 10-point favorites at home against the Spurs. The Knicks are still without RJ Barrett (finger) until mid-January.

 

There aren’t many excuses to plague Milwaukee right now. Khris Middleton is their only notable injury and he’s out until mid-January, at the least, with a knee injury. So of course it’s been Giannis Antetokounmpo still doing the heavy work. There was a four-game stretch prior to Friday’s loss to the Hornets where he was averaging 43 points and 18 rebounds a game. That kind of stuff is video game/Shaq-esque.

 

But Giannis and the Bucks had a rough go against the Hornets Friday, losing by 29 points. Giannis was held to a season-low nine points in 22 minutes while shooting just 2 of 7 from the floor. Milwaukee’s defense, normally one of the best in the league, gave up 51 points in the first quarter and the Hornets just ran away with that game. The Bucks turned it over 16 times but made 20 3-pointers. That would normally offset things, except the Hornets also made 20 threes and shot 52 percent from the floor.

 

“We didn’t play great defense. They got a lot of offensive rebounds, they shot very well, they played well in transition,” said Bucks center Brook Lopez. “It was a number of things, it wasn’t just any one thing.”

 

The Knicks are coming off a 112-108 win in Toronto on Friday night after a strong 32-point, 11-rebound double-double from Julius Randle. He’s continued his hot play over the last eight games, averaging 32 points and 13 rebounds while making 41 percent of his threes. Not that we should be heightening Randle’s potential for another All-Star berth, but there’s a chance, one would say.

 

 

The Knicks have found ways to cover when playing up to their competition. They’ve covered five of their last six against the spread against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or better.  The Bucks, meanwhile, are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four off two days rest. The Knicks at home should be a good play here, but I think the Bucks are going to be frustrated and come in to drop the hammer at MSG. Bucks 110, Knicks 100

Bucks are 24-13 ATS as a road favorite the last 2 seasons.

Bucks are 7-0 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite this season.

Knicks are 6-18 ATS at home after an over the last 2 seasons.

PG: Jrue Holiday

SG: Grayson Allen

SF: Pat Connaughton

PF: Giannis Anteotkounmpo

C: Brook Lopez

PG: Jalen Brunson

SG: Quentin Grimes

SF: Evan Fournier

PF: Julius Randle

C: Mitchell Robinson

Bucks: Khris Middleton (knee, out)

Knicks: RJ Barrett (finger, out), Obi Toppin (calf, out)

Points: Giannis Anteokounmpo – 32.0

Rebounds: Giannis Antetokounmpo– 11.8

Assists: Jrue Holiday – 7.1

Points: Julius Randle – 24.4

Rebounds: Julius Randle – 10.0

Assists: Jalen Brunson – 6.6