Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Prediction, NBA Odds

Daniel Coyle | Updated Jan 09, 2023

The New York Knicks look to extend their current straight up win streak to five games when they host the Milwaukee Bucks in Monday NBA action.

Milwaukee
58-24
AT
January 09, 2023, 7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden
New York
47-35
Pointspread 0 -110
Moneyline -115
Over / Under o +219

65%

Betting Action

35%

Pointspread 0 -110
Moneyline -105
Over / Under u +219

65%

Betting Action

35%

The Knicks return home after tallying a 112-108 win in Toronto on Friday night, and can move past Indiana into sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a victory in Monday’s contest. The Bucks are on the rebound after suffering a lopsided 138-109 loss to Charlotte on Friday, and arrive in the Big Apple with just one win in their past five road contests.

The Bucks have faded to 1-point road favourites on the NBA odds since opening at -2, but enjoy the support of 78 per cent of sports bettors. The total has also declined slightly since opening at 222, fading to 221.5.

Bucks vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds

Monday night’s matchup at Madison Square Garden marks the third and final meeting of the season between these Eastern Conference rivals. The Bucks earned the win in their two previous dates with the Knicks this season, capped by a 109-103 win in New York as 6-point chalk on November 30 that extended their current win streak in head-to-head action to five games.

The Bucks have also covered in each of their past clashes with the Knicks, with four of their five recent wins coming by double-digit margins. But with New York tallying 103 or fewer points in four of seven matchups with the Bucks, the UNDER has paid out in five of their past seven meetings.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have struggled with injuries during the current 3-6 run that has dumped them from the top of the Eastern Conference standings into a tight three-way race for third place. The Bucks’ swoon has coincided with a rash of injuries that have impacted key personnel, most notably Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Giannis was forced to miss the team’s 118-95 loss to Washington on New Year’s Day and was limited to just 22 minutes of action in Friday’s loss to the Hornets, tallying a season-low nine points. However, reports suggest that the Greek Freak will be ready to return to a regular shift in Monday’s contest. That’s welcome news for loyal Bucks betting fans. Giannis closed out 2022 on a dominating note, averaging 44 points over his final two outings, and has racked up 40 or more points in five of his past nine appearances.

Sidelined since mid-December by a knee injury, Middleton will miss his 12th straight game on Monday, and has seen the team go 5-6 in his absence. Serge Ibaka is also unavailable on Monday for personal reasons, opening the door for another big assignment for Bobby Portis. The veteran big man has led the team in scoring in two of the past four games, and averaged 18.5 points and 12 rebounds while recording six straight double-doubles.

New York Knicks

The Knicks enjoyed a fast start on Friday, romping to 10-point lead over Toronto by halftime, but a third-quart letdown forced the club to rally in the final frame to eke out a narrow 112-108 win over the rapidly fading Raptors. Overall, this club has bolted out of the gate in each of their past three contests, averaging almost 31 first-quarter points during that stretch. However, their tendency to produce streaky results remains a concern. New York’s current 5-0 run comes on the heels of a five-game losing streak, which was preceded by eight straight wins. That trend extends to dates on home court, where they have also alternated between lengthy surges and swoons since the start of the season.

The Knicks have also been streaky at the sportsbook, going 1-4 against the spread in their past five home dates after covering in their previous four. In addition, they have failed to cover in three previous outings this season when pegged as home underdogs by two or fewer points. However, the search for consistency in New York can begin and with Julius Randle. The veteran power forward stepped up with a game-high 32 points in Friday’s win over the Raptors, and has averaged a steady 31.7 points and 13.5 boards while racking up six straight double-doubles.

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