The Milwaukee Bucks face the New York Knicks to begin the NBA’s Christmas Day slate. Tipoff is scheduled for noon ET from Madison Square Garden. Here’s a look at one potential lineup strategy to use for Showdown contests, with Captain’s picks, fades and flex plays for the matchup.
Captain’s Picks
Damian Lillard ($15,000) – Lillard is slightly less expensive than Giannis Antetokounmpo and has been a similar producer against the Knicks this season, even outscoring Antetokounmpo in one matchup between the two teams. In their latest game, Lillard put up 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Jalen Brunson ($13,800) – Brunson comes in at a slightly lower price point than Julius Randle, making him a more affordable pick for the captain’s spot. Brunson led the team in scoring (36 points) and assists (7) in Saturday’s Bucks-Knicks matchup, and has performed well against the Bucks in every matchup this season.
FLEX Plays
Malik Beasley ($5,400) – Beasley has performed well in several games against the Knicks this season. In the two teams’ most recent matchup, Beasley finished with 19 points and six rebounds.
RJ Barrett ($6,600) – Barrett comes in at an affordable price considering his contributions. On Saturday, he finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, and in the in-season tournament, he had 23 points and eight rebounds against Milwaukee.
Fades
Donte DiVincenzo ($6,000) – DiVincenzo has been underwhelming against the Bucks this season. Saturday’s game marked the first time he surpassed single digits in points scored against his former team. Go ahead and keep him on the bench.
Brook Lopez ($7,200) – For this price point, you can get a more reliable option. Lopez has seen some ups and downs this season, and scored just five points with three rebounds on Saturday.
The Outcome
The Bucks will cover the 3.5-point spread after their 19-point win on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. It may be somewhat closer, but the Knicks have yet to figure out the Bucks this season. Milwaukee has the top spot in the Eastern Conference within arm’s reach, and will grab another big win with major contributions from several role players.
Final score: Bucks 125, Knicks 110