New York Knicks vs
Milwaukee BucksPredictions & Preview

Knicks Aim to Sweep Bucks in Eastern Conference Showdown at Fiserv Forum

The New York Knicks will face off against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Friday night in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference showdown. The Knicks are looking to sweep the Bucks for the first time since the 2012-13 season after securing two dominant victories at home earlier in the regular season. New York is currently the betting favorite with an opening line of -0.5, which has remained unchanged. For more details on this matchup and other NBA picks for Friday night, be sure to read on.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Knicks -115 | Bucks -102
• Spread: Knicks -0.5 (-110) | Bucks +0.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 220 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New York will win straight-up is 53%.

New York vs Milwaukee Stats

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have recently struggled, losing seven of their last 12 games. Despite finishing a three-game homestand with a 2-1 record, they suffered a loss to the LA Clippers, allowing 72 second-half points. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby led the team in scoring, but the second unit struggled. The team is currently without Jalen Brunson due to an ankle injury and may also be missing Miles McBride and Cameron Payne for their upcoming game against Milwaukee. The Knicks are currently ranked third in the East, with a 45-27 record for the season. Offensively, they excel in field goal percentage and free throw shooting but struggle with defensive rebounds and three-point defense. Their power ranking is 22, with solid offensive stats but room for improvement defensively.

Milwaukee Bucks Analysis

The Milwaukee Bucks are currently facing a tough stretch, having lost seven of their previous 11 games. Despite finishing their recent five-game road trip with a positive record, they have suffered consecutive losses to the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. The team is dealing with injuries to key players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, with Antetokounmpo listed as day-to-day and Lillard out indefinitely. Milwaukee is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, aiming to maintain their position while dealing with roster challenges. On offense, the Bucks rank 15th in the league, scoring an average of 114.19 points per game. Their defense ranks 11th, allowing 111.85 points per game. Despite their recent struggles, the team has shown strong shooting percentages and effectiveness from beyond the arc. Moving forward, the Bucks will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and overcome the absence of key players to improve their overall performance.

Impact of Absent Point Guards on Both Teams Creates Uncertainty in Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Matchup

Both teams are currently dealing with the absence of their starting point guards. The Milwaukee Bucks are optimistic about the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, even if he plays, I am inclined to favor the New York Knicks due to their defensive capabilities against Giannis. In the event that Antetokounmpo is unable to play, Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to have a significant impact on the game against the Bucks, given his performance in the past. The Knicks struggle in defending the 3-point line, ranking 28th in the league in opposing 3-point percentage. On the other hand, the Bucks excel in 3-point shooting, ranking third in the league. The absence of Damian Lillard poses a challenge for the Bucks' offense, as he has been a key contributor in their 3-point shooting success.

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