The Milwaukee Bucks (5-6) travel to Madison Square Garden Wednesday to take on the New York Knicks (7-4). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks at Knicks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
After many of the Knicks players were at the Duke-Kentucky game last night, they’ll get to take the court to face two-time MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Bucks.
The Knicks are led by All-Star PF Julius Randle. Former MVP Derrick Rose and SF Evan Fournier also help carry the load.
As for the Bucks, it’s been mainly the Giannis show with Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez missing several games. Milwaukee recently got Jrue Holiday back and has had Grayson Allen stepping up to help offensively.
The Bucks, given their injuries, will enter this one as rare underdogs. Milwaukee is coming off a 9-point win over the Joel Embiid-less 76ers. They’re on the second night of a back-to-back.
Bucks at Knicks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Knicks -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bucks +4.5 (-120) | Knicks -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Bucks at Knicks key injuries
Bucks
- C Brook Lopez (back) out
- SF Khris Middleton (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) out
Knicks
- C Nerlens Noel (knee) questionable
- C Mitchell Robinson (hip) questionable
Bucks at Knicks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 108, Bucks 105
Money line
PASS on the money line.
I prefer to look at the points in this one. Milwaukee is coming off a road win over the Sixers and is already shorthanded. I’d stay away from Milwaukee’s money line, despite getting plus-money value.
If there is a way to play the money line, it’s Milwaukee at +140. Whenever the team with by far the best player on the court is at that value, it certainly should be given a look.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the BUCKS +4.5 (-120) as the best value in this game.
Milwaukee should have the depth it takes to keep this one close. They’ll more than likely start George Hill, a proven 3-and-D specialist. Allen, Giannis, and the energetic Bobby Portis will be available as well. Holiday’s return cannot be stressed enough either.
This will be his fourth game back, seeing increasing minutes in each of his previous three. A three-time All-Defensive team member, Holiday should be able to lock up one of the Knicks starting guards.
For New York, its focus has been more offensive, bringing in Fournier and Kemba Walker. the Knicks dropped from the fourth-best defensive rating last season to now in the bottom ten.
Giannis and his many 3-point shooters should be able to impose their will on a weaker defensive team. Also, Giannis is a star defender given his size and should limit the Knicks’ star, Randle.
Combine it all, and I like the Bucks to cover in this one.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 216.5 (-107) as the better side of the total. Without Middleton, the Bucks offense may struggle. They already rank in the bottom half of the league in offensive and defensive rating.
The defending champs haven’t played well without key personnel. Holiday is back, and he should help on both ends of the court. As for pace, the Bucks rank ninth and the Knicks are 27th.
With the Knicks, a more methodical half-court team with Rose and Randle, pushing the pace on the Bucks with the length of Giannis may not suit them well.
The Bucks have scored fewer than 100 points in four of their last six games. The Knicks have scored fewer than 105 points in two of their last four. Overall, I prefer the Under in this one.
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