The 2021-22 NBA season goes on Friday, November 5, with nine games around the league, including the Eastern Conference clash at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, so here’s the best Knicks vs. Bucks betting pick.
New York meets Milwaukee for the first time this season, and the Bucks have won 12 of their last 15 H2H duels. However, the Knicks won their last season’s three-game series against Milwaukee, including a 102-96 victory at Fiserv Forum.
The Knicks hope to stop a two-game slideÂ
After winning five of their first six games in 2021-22, the New York Knicks (5-3; 4-4 ATS) have dropped two in a row, losing to Toronto 113-104 as 7.5-point home favorites and at Indiana 111-98 as 1-point road underdogs.
New York turned the ball over 17 times against the Raptors while shooting just 41.4% from the field and 20.8% from downtown in that heavy defeat at the Pacers. Interestingly, the Knicks own the third-best offensive rating in the NBA, tallying 112.7 points per 100 possessions, but they allow 110.0 points in a return (25th in the league).
Last season, the Knicks leaned heavily on their defense. Also, they were lethal from beyond the arc, and this time around, the Knicks are making 39.3% of their 3-pointers (2nd in the NBA). Evan Fournier leads the way with 3.3 triples per game (41.3 3P%), while Kemba Walker adds 3.1 (51.0 3P%).
The Bucks trounced Detroit to snap their three-game skid Â
The Milwaukee Bucks (4-4; 4-4 ATS) put an end to their three-game losing streak this past Tuesday. They thrashed off the lowly Detroit Pistons as 4.5-point road underdogs, 117-89, holding their rivals to 32.3% shooting from the field and 17.0% from beyond the 3-point line.
The Bucks executed well offensively, making 50.0% of their field goals and 45.9% of their 3-pointers (17-for-37). Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with 28 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and four blocks, while Jordan Nwora added 16 points and five boards off the bench.
Milwaukee is scoring 107.4 points per 100 possessions (tied-15th in the NBA) while giving up 107.0 in a return (13th). The Bucks are dealing with injury problems, playing without Khris Middleton (COVID-19), Brook Lopez (back), and Donte DiVincenzo (foot). Jrue Holiday (ankle) should return to the starting lineup after missing the previous five games.
Trends:
New York:
- 2-4 ATS in the last six games overall
- 2-6 ATS in the last eight games against Milwaukee
Milwaukee:
- 8-4 ATS in the last 12 games overall
- 5-1 ATS in the last six games at home
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pick
The Knicks are still trying to gel things with a few new players on their roster. They’ve struggled offensively in the last two outings, and the Knicks could easily have another rough day in the office against the Bucks’ aggressive defense.
Of course, Khris Middleton’s absence is a huge blow for Milwaukee, but Jrue Holiday’s return would be a massive boost, especially for the Bucks’ defense. We should see a tight clash if both teams do a solid defensive job, and the Bucks will come out on top thanks to their D. Milwaukee holds its opponents to only 31.8% shooting from deep (5th in the NBA).
Pick: Take Milwaukee Bucks
The Total:
The Bucks love to play at a fast pace, averaging 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes. They will play even faster when Jrue Holiday returns, and the Knicks have to find a way to slow the Bucks down in order to stand a chance of upsetting the odds.
New York records just 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes. The Knicks need to take good care of the ball and prevent easy baskets in transition or they will be in big trouble. The under is 3-2 in New York’s last five games, and it is 5-0 in Milwaukee’s previous five.
Pick: Go under
