Two teams fighting for spots in the Eastern Conference top four meet on Sunday afternoon when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the New York Knicks.
A month into the season the Milwaukee Bucks were thought to be a derelict ship, but ever since their impressive showing in the NBA Cup, head coach Doc Rivers has turned things around. They’re only 3.5 games behind the New York Knicks for third in the conference after winning on Friday night, 109-106. New York was on a nine-game winning streak but has cooled off since. That was painfully evident Friday at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who pounded them 126-101.
Check out NBA odds, which peg the host Knicks as -4.5 favourites.
Bucks vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
New York and Milwaukee have already crossed paths on the hardwood floor once this season. In the early days of the campaign in November, the Knicks took the Bucks to the cleaners, 116-94. That was the Knicks’ third consecutive win over the Bucks, dating back to last season. Before that, the Wisconsin-based franchise had enjoyed a seven-game winning streak.
Milwaukee appears to have steered the ship from various bumps in the road that afflicted the early parts of their season. Not only are they riding a run of three wins, but they’re also 16-7 since Nov. 18. Rivers has them playing much sounder defence than before, as they only concede 110.7 points per game (ninth in the NBA), and the fifth-lowest shooting percentage (45.2 per cent). The only thing that hasn’t gone their way yet are results against the spread, what with a 15-20-1 tally thus far.
Despite the impressive 25-14 straight up record, there may be some reasons for concern in New York. The nine-game run of success the club enjoyed in December and January included wins against a depleted Magic side, the Jazz, the Wizards, and the Pelicans. When faced against stauncher opposition, things haven’t always gone so well, such as a recent revenge match against Orlando and two games versus Oklahoma City. Covering the spread has been difficult lately, with the Knicks only 1-4-0 in their last five.
Milwaukee Bucks
The stage was set Friday night for the Bucks to take a tumble. They embarked on a road trip, starting south in Florida to face a Magic side that had Poalo Banchero back in the lineup.
What resulted was one of the better games on the night in which neither side ever led by more than nine points, and even then it was often much closer. In the end, Milwaukee survived courtesy of a 109-106 victory, riding the fourth-quarter coat tails of Damian Lillard. The latter didn’t even lead the side in scoring (29 points) but frequently slinked his way in the paint for circus act-style buckets when the Bucks needed it most. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a massive 41-point evening and corralled 14 rebounds, which masked his 3/10 free throw shooting.
Khris Middleton (11 points) and Bobby Portis (11 points) came off the bench and finished with some of the better player ratings at plus-6 and plus-12, respectively.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have Saturday to pick up the pieces from what transpired at Madison Square Garden on Friday. A week after putting up a terrific fight in a narrow defeat at Oklahoma City, they were clearly the inferior team at home against the Thunder.
So often in today’s NBA teams that race out to significant early leads fail to build on or cling to them. Not this time. New York trailed 31-17 at the end of the first quarter that was all she wrote. At one point the Knicks trailed by as many as 30 points. They shot 12.9 per cent from distance and 38.6 per cent overall. That they won the turnover battle 15-12 hardly mattered.
Jalen Brunson finished with a team-high 27 points, followed by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 23, but Mikal Bridges laid a goose egg and OG Anunoby only had four.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Knicks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 11 Jan 10:44pm | - | - | O +227.5 -105 |
Closing 12 Jan 10:03pm | - | - | O +259.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
Points |
31.76 |
Assists |
7.5 |
Rebounds |
12.17 |
FG% |
60.8 |
Steals |
1.18 |
Blocks |
1.92 |
Points |
26.11 |
Assists |
7.47 |
Rebounds |
13.41 |
FG% |
60.9 |
Steals |
1.55 |
Blocks |
0.88 |
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
Points |
31.76 |
Assists |
7.5 |
Rebounds |
12.17 |
FG% |
60.8 |
Steals |
1.18 |
Blocks |
1.92 |
Points |
26.11 |
Assists |
7.47 |
Rebounds |
13.41 |
FG% |
60.9 |
Steals |
1.55 |
Blocks |
0.88 |
Injuries
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Liam Robbins (C)
Damian Lillard (PG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Damian Lillard (PG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Josh Hart (SG)
Miles McBride (PG)
Tyler Kolek (PG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Mikal Bridges (SG)
Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Josh Hart (SG)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pat Connaughton (SG) | Ques Feb 20 | Calf - 11 / 02 / 25 | 2-7 | 4-5 | + - |
Connaughton is hampered by a calf injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the court against the Clippers on Thursday, February 20th. |
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Brook Lopez (C) | Prob Mon | Shoulder - 10 / 02 / 25 | 2-7 | 4-5 | + - |
Lopez suffered a right shoulder contusion, but he is expected to be available against the Warriors on Monday. |
|||||
Pat Connaughton (SG) | Ques Mon | Calf - 07 / 02 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
Connaughton is managing a left calf strain, and it is undetermined if he will take the court for Monday's game versus the Warriors. |
|||||
Liam Robbins (C) | Ques Feb 20 | Groin - 07 / 02 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
Robbins is nursing a right groin strain, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Clippers on Thursday, February 20th. |
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Damian Lillard (PG) | Prob Fri | Groin - 06 / 02 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
Lillard is nursing with a groin injury, but he is expected to play Friday versus Hawks. |
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Brook Lopez (C) | Prob Fri | Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
Lopez is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to face the Hawks on Friday. |
|||||
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Ques Fri | Knee - 03 / 02 / 25 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Antetokounmpo is dealing with soreness in his right knee, and it is unknown if he will play Friday versus Hawks. |
|||||
Damian Lillard (PG) | Prob Wed | Groin - 03 / 02 / 25 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Lillard is nursing with left groin soreness, and it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Hornets on Wednesday. |
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Brook Lopez (C) | Ques Wed | Back - 03 / 02 / 25 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Lopez is dealing with back soreness, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Hornets on Wednesday. |
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Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Middleton is fighting off an ankle injury, but he is projected to take the court against the Hornets on Wednesday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Hart is nursing with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to play against Hawks on Wednesday. |
|||||
Miles McBride (PG) | Ques Wed | Ribs - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
McBride is dealing with a left rib contusion, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Hawks on Wednesday. |
|||||
Tyler Kolek (PG) | Ques Feb 20 | Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Kolek is tending to a sprained right ankle, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Bulls on Thursday, February 20th. |
|||||
Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 10 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Hart is fighting off a knee injury, but he is projected to participate against the Pacers on Tuesday. |
|||||
Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 07 / 02 / 25 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
Hart is battling with right knee soreness, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Celtics on Saturday. |
|||||
Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 04 / 02 / 25 | 2-3 | 5-0 | + - |
Hart is hampered by a knee injury, but he is projected to be available against the Raptors on Tuesday. |
|||||
Mikal Bridges (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25 | 2-3 | 5-0 | + - |
Bridges is laid up with left ankle soreness, but he is expected to play against the Raptors on Tuesday. |
|||||
Karl-Anthony Towns (C) | Prob Tues | Knee - 04 / 02 / 25 | 2-3 | 5-0 | + - |
Towns suffered a left knee soreness, but he is expected to be available against the Raptors on Tuesday. |
|||||
O.G. Anunoby (SF) | Ques Feb 20 | Foot - 02 / 02 / 25 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
Anunoby sat out the previous four games due to a right foot sprain, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bulls on Thursday, February 20th. |
|||||
Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 02 / 02 / 25 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
Hart is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to dress against the Rockets on Monday. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Jan 10:44pm - - O +227.5 -105 Closing 12 Jan 10:03pm - - O +259.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 31.76
Assists 7.5
Rebounds 12.17
FG% 60.8
Steals 1.18
Blocks 1.92
Points 26.11
Assists 7.47
Rebounds 13.41
FG% 60.9
Steals 1.55
Blocks 0.88
-
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
Points 31.76
Assists 7.5
Rebounds 12.17
FG% 60.8
Steals 1.18
Blocks 1.92
Points 26.11
Assists 7.47
Rebounds 13.41
FG% 60.9
Steals 1.55
Blocks 0.88
-
Injuries
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Ques Feb 20 Calf - 11 / 02 / 25Brook Lopez (C)
Prob Mon Shoulder - 10 / 02 / 25Pat Connaughton (SG)
Ques Mon Calf - 07 / 02 / 25Liam Robbins (C)
Ques Feb 20 Groin - 07 / 02 / 25Damian Lillard (PG)
Prob Fri Groin - 06 / 02 / 25Brook Lopez (C)
Prob Fri Knee - 06 / 02 / 25Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Ques Fri Knee - 03 / 02 / 25Damian Lillard (PG)
Prob Wed Groin - 03 / 02 / 25Brook Lopez (C)
Ques Wed Back - 03 / 02 / 25Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Wed Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Miles McBride (PG)
Ques Wed Ribs - 12 / 02 / 25Tyler Kolek (PG)
Ques Feb 20 Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 10 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 04 / 02 / 25Mikal Bridges (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
Prob Tues Knee - 04 / 02 / 25O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Ques Feb 20 Foot - 02 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Mon Knee - 02 / 02 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Pat Connaughton (SG) Ques Feb 20 Calf - 11 / 02 / 25 2-7 4-5 + - Connaughton is hampered by a calf injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the court against the Clippers on Thursday, February 20th.
Brook Lopez (C) Prob Mon Shoulder - 10 / 02 / 25 2-7 4-5 + - Lopez suffered a right shoulder contusion, but he is expected to be available against the Warriors on Monday.
Pat Connaughton (SG) Ques Mon Calf - 07 / 02 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Connaughton is managing a left calf strain, and it is undetermined if he will take the court for Monday's game versus the Warriors.
Liam Robbins (C) Ques Feb 20 Groin - 07 / 02 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Robbins is nursing a right groin strain, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Clippers on Thursday, February 20th.
Damian Lillard (PG) Prob Fri Groin - 06 / 02 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Lillard is nursing with a groin injury, but he is expected to play Friday versus Hawks.
Brook Lopez (C) Prob Fri Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Lopez is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to face the Hawks on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) Ques Fri Knee - 03 / 02 / 25 2-2 2-2 + - Antetokounmpo is dealing with soreness in his right knee, and it is unknown if he will play Friday versus Hawks.
Damian Lillard (PG) Prob Wed Groin - 03 / 02 / 25 2-2 2-2 + - Lillard is nursing with left groin soreness, and it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Hornets on Wednesday.
Brook Lopez (C) Ques Wed Back - 03 / 02 / 25 2-2 2-2 + - Lopez is dealing with back soreness, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Hornets on Wednesday.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25 2-2 2-2 + - Middleton is fighting off an ankle injury, but he is projected to take the court against the Hornets on Wednesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Josh Hart (SG) Prob Wed Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Hart is nursing with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to play against Hawks on Wednesday.
Miles McBride (PG) Ques Wed Ribs - 12 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - McBride is dealing with a left rib contusion, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Hawks on Wednesday.
Tyler Kolek (PG) Ques Feb 20 Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Kolek is tending to a sprained right ankle, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Bulls on Thursday, February 20th.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 10 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Hart is fighting off a knee injury, but he is projected to participate against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 02 / 25 2-1 3-0 + - Hart is battling with right knee soreness, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Celtics on Saturday.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 04 / 02 / 25 2-3 5-0 + - Hart is hampered by a knee injury, but he is projected to be available against the Raptors on Tuesday.
Mikal Bridges (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25 2-3 5-0 + - Bridges is laid up with left ankle soreness, but he is expected to play against the Raptors on Tuesday.
Karl-Anthony Towns (C) Prob Tues Knee - 04 / 02 / 25 2-3 5-0 + - Towns suffered a left knee soreness, but he is expected to be available against the Raptors on Tuesday.
O.G. Anunoby (SF) Ques Feb 20 Foot - 02 / 02 / 25 3-3 5-1 + - Anunoby sat out the previous four games due to a right foot sprain, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bulls on Thursday, February 20th.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Mon Knee - 02 / 02 / 25 3-3 5-1 + - Hart is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to dress against the Rockets on Monday.