Knicks vs Bucks Odds, Picks and Prediction
- Injury-riddled Bucks welcome in the New York Knicks Friday night
- The Knicks have lost two straight, while Milwaukee just snapped a three-game skid
- The odds and matchups can be found below with a prediction
Reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo can, at times, carry his team to victory on his own.
It might come out of necessity Friday night, when the injury-riddled Bucks host the New York Knicks. Tip-off goes at 7:30pm ET as Fiserv Forum.
After a red-hot 5-1 start to the campaign, New York has crashed a little back to earth with back-to-back losses, though it may come as a surprise they’re 5-point road underdogs in this one.
Knicks vs Bucks Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +180 | +5 (-110) | OFF |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -215 | -5 (-110) | OFF |
Odds as of Nov 4 at FanDuel
Bucks Recent Results
It’s definitely not been a champions tour for Milwaukee, coming off their first NBA title in 50 years.
Injuries have ravaged the Bucks’ roster, and they will be without four of their five starters Friday night.
"The Milwaukee @Bucks are the best team in the East."
Chuck and the fellas discuss the Eastern Conference. #NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/7mtyLEWvUI
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 3, 2021
That includes Jrue Holiday, who’s already missed five straight games with a wonky ankle. Khris Middleton will also be out, after testing for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Center Brook Lopez has been battling a back injury, and he’s already been ruled out, while the team still awaits the return of guard Donte DiVincenzo, who’s been out since last year’s playoff run recovering from foot surgery.
Giannis is always showing why he’s the 2x-MVP. Another MVP season for the Greek Freak @Giannis_An34 🙏🏼
28 points | 8 rebounds | 9 assists | 4 blocks | 56.2% FG | 3-7 3PM pic.twitter.com/032dHXsnvi— Lakers fan burner (@LeBronsLakers23) November 3, 2021
The depleted roster was still able to get right against the Pistons last time out, a crushing 117-89 win in Motown, snapping a three-game losing skid.
Giannis led the way with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 9 dimes, while Pat Connaughton was the only other starter to score in double digits, finishing with 16 points, which included a nice 4-for-5 mark from deep.
.@JordanNwora led the @Bucks' bench in scoring last night! 🦌
16 PTS (7-13 FG) // 5 REBS / 3 ASTS pic.twitter.com/ZUzJ4SodEZ
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) November 3, 2021
Three other Bucks reserves potted double-digits in the win, including impressive second-year man Jordan Nwora, who chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and three assists. It was the first time this season Milwaukee had held an opponent to under 100 points in a game.
Knicks Recent Results
It hasn’t been a great start to November for New York, dropping both decisions as the offense has dried up. New York dropped a 113-104 decision to the Raptors, before getting dropped 111-98 in their last game against the Pacers.
"It's The Garden. We try to protect The Garden at all costs" – RJ Barrett on what was the most frustrating part of tonight's loss to the Raptors pic.twitter.com/7bdR2P61xL
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 2, 2021
It’s the first time New York has been held under 100 points all season.
Against Toronto, the Knicks shot 16-for-38 from from the 3-point range, but that stellar 42.1% clip was nullified as they surrendered 13 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 16 times to lose to the Raptors.
Their shooting abandoned them against the Pacers, putting up a 41.4% clip from the field, which included a paltry 5-for-24 mark from deep (20.8%).
RJ Barrett 🤝 BUCKETS@RjBarrett6 drops a career-high 35 PTS (16 in Q4) as the @nyknicks improve to 5-1 on the season! pic.twitter.com/RlakYdq0EP
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2021
RJ Barrett has been the team’s leading scorer the last three games, but they’ll need a little more from all-star Julius Randle. The reigning Most Improved Player in the NBA, Randle was just 6-for-16 from the field for 18 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to Indiana.
They could use a little more secondary scoring, particularly from Evan Fournier. He’s scored 14 points or less in three of New York’s last four outings.
Knicks vs Bucks Key Stats
The Bucks are middle of the pack in points allowed, but they are fifth in the league at defending the 3-ball. Teams are shooting just 31.8% from distance. Offensively, they’re hanging in there, ranking 15th in scoring at 109.4 points a game.
After leading the league in scoring defense a season ago, the Knicks are a distant 22nd in points allowed, surrendering over 110 a night.
Knicks’ 70 3-pointers made through their first 4 games tied the 2020-21 Bucks for most makes through the first 4 games of a season in NBA history, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
Thibs is smiling more, having fun marrying a modern offense with old school defense. pic.twitter.com/eZc8TPLWon
— alder almo (@alderalmo) October 27, 2021
However, the tradeoff for that signature Tom Thiboudeau defense is a more potent offense. The Knicks currently rank fourth in the NBA in scoring at 113 per game.
They’ve been especially potent from downtown: ranking just outside the top 10 in attempts, New York is shooting it at a 39.3% clip, which ranks second in the league.
Milwaukee is 1-2 ATS as a home favorite, while New York is 2-2 ATS on the road, and 1-0 as a road underdog.
What’s the Best Bet?
Perhaps the biggest key here is New York enters this contest healthy, and motivated to snap a skid. Minus Giannis, who is easily the best player on the floor, the Knicks have the far superior roster.
I’ll take the healthy New York lineup over Milwaukee role players finding their footing to support Antetokounmpo.
The Pick: Knicks -5 (-110)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
