The New York Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night in Milwaukee. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum.
The Knicks are 8.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with the total for this game set at 220.5 points. Let’s get into my preview, prediction and pick for this Bucks vs. Knicks game.
Bucks vs. Knicks prediction, preview
The Milwaukee Bucks are playing some of their best basketball of the season, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined with a calf injury. Antetokounmpo has been out for an entire month and will remain out for this game against the Knicks. While there were some initial struggles adjusting to life post-Giannis, the Bucks have since won eight of their past 10 games. Kevin Porter Jr. has been an unlikely hero in Milwaukee, averaging 21.9 points and 7.9 assists per game in the month of February. Role players like Jericho Sims, Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins have also stepped up in Antetokounmpo’s absence. During this run, the Bucks have passed the Bulls to move to 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They are also well within striking distance of a Play-In spot in the East.
The New York Knicks are staying steady in third place in the Eastern Conference. It seems as if the Pistons are going to take that top seed, then it’s between Boston, New York and Cleveland for the next three spots. The Knicks are a good team, but still haven’t seemed to have hit their ceiling. Things may never fully click for New York, and there will be another disappointing postseason exit. However, in certain games, it’s been clear that the Knicks can be a truly great team. It’s a matter of consistently turning in those performances. That issue has been particularly glaring on the road. The Knicks have been the fifth-best team in the NBA this season at home, but they have just a .500 record on the road. After a tough road loss to the Cavaliers, the Knicks will look to bounce back here.
Bucks vs. Knicks pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for the Bucks to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. The Knicks’ road struggles have been a serious problem all season. Among the top six teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, the Knicks have the worst road record. No other contenders have struggled as much away from home as the Knicks have away from Madison Square Garden. Look no further than the Knicks’ season series against the Bucks. The Knicks went to Milwaukee and lost by 10 points, then in the rematch in New York, beat the Bucks by nine points.
The Knicks could very well leave Milwaukee with a win. A fully healthy Knicks squad is significantly more talented than the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Milwaukee has found a good system to compete without its superstar. The Bucks should at least be able to keep the game within the 8.5-point spread. This will be the fourth consecutive home game for the Bucks, and it seems as if they’re in a very comfortable routine. Meanwhile, the Knicks are on their third straight road game. Milwaukee should take advantage of its momentum and home-court advantage to keep this game tight.
