The New York Knicks are back in rhythm after winning four in a row and playing some tough, good basketball. Tonight is a big matchup, as they'll have an opportunity to make a statement against a Milwaukee Bucks team struggling of late.
The Bucks find themselves in unfamiliar territory after losing six of their last 10 games, including an embarrassing 29-point defeat at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets. Tonight will be critical for Milwaukee after losing in such a disappointing fashion.
I break down the matchup and more in my best NBA picks and predictions for Bucks vs. Knicks below.
Bucks vs Knicks best odds
Bucks vs Knicks picks and predictions
Julius Randle has been playing some of the best basketball of his career this season. After a disastrous 2021-22 season, he's genuinely bounced back into form and has impressed. However, there is one team he hasn't been able to figure out over his career... the Milwaukee Bucks.
The last five games for Randle against the Bucks have been outright ugly, and a lot of that has to do with the pressure and lopsided matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
His physicality and athleticism bother Randle, forcing him away from the basket for tough contested shots. In Randle's last five games against Milwaukee, he hasn't score more than 18 points.
It's clear why Randle struggles so much against Milwaukee more than any other team. On most nights, he can use his strength and speed to take advantage of opponents, but Milwaukee has a long, strong, and lengthy frontcourt built to slow down players with games similar to Randle's.
Milwaukee performs well against opposing power forwards, allowing the position to score 20.71 points per game against them, the eighth-best mark in the NBA.
Jalen Brunson is also back in his groove, which means Randle may have to accept taking a few fewer shots per game. There's an outside chance Barrett plays today, which will further stunt Randle's shooting attempts. With or without Barrett, I still see Randle being held in check tonight.
My best bet: Julius Randle Under 26.5 points (-111)
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Bucks vs Knicks spread analysis
The Knicks are back on track after winning four in a row, but tonight is a tough matchup for them going against one of the NBA's elite teams in the Bucks. New York has struggled in recent seasons against Milwaukee, losing each of the last five matchups by double digits.
The Bucks are without Khris Middleton, which is a significant injury as he's the team's real perimeter threat, but Milwaukee can still make quick work of New York without his services. The Bucks have defeated the Knicks by 15 or more points this season in two games.
Jrue Holiday is the ideal defender to throw at Jalen Brunson, as he's a pressure defender who will make it uncomfortable for the Knicks guard to set up the offense and score. That will be a matchup to watch tonight.
NBA odds have this line set at -1 in favor of Milwaukee. Remember that the Bucks have struggled of late, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. Even so, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking New York against Milwaukee's Top-3 defense (109.4 rating).
Bucks vs Knicks Over/Under analysis
The Over/Under is set at 221 tonight and for good reason. The Bucks and Knicks have found themselves in plenty of shootouts and tonight, we could be in for another high-scoring affair.
The Bucks have hit the Over in five of their last seven games. Milwaukee always plays with a greater sense of urgency on offense after a loss, as evidenced by hitting the Over four consecutive times after a straight-up loss.
The Knicks are in the same boat, going Over the total in eight of their last matchups. With RJ Barrett sidelined with an injury, New York adopted a small-ball lineup that sports Brunson, Immanuel Quickly, and Quentin Grimes in the starting lineup. That could be difficult against a bigger Milwaukee team looking to impose their will physically.
Bucks vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Over is 6-1 in the Knicks' last seven games after allowing 100+ points in their previous game. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Knicks.
Bucks vs Knicks game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Monday, January 9, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Wisconsin, MSG |
