The New York Knicks will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in an Eastern Conference battle. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Knicks-Bucks prediction and pick.
Neither of these teams has lived up to the preseason expectations set for them. The Knicks were expected to be a middling playoff team at the very least, but their 23-26 record currently has them as the eleventh seed in the weak Eastern Conference. The Bucks are the defending champions, but you wouldn't know it from their play. Despite retaining their championship roster and having one of the biggest superstars in the sport in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee has only managed a 30-20 record and is the sixth seed in the conference. This game is an opportunity for both teams to begin to get things headed in the right direction, so let's get into the pick.
Here are the Knicks-Bucks NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Knicks-Bucks Odds
New York Knicks: +9 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks: -9 (-110)
Over: 217 (-110)
Under: 217 (-110)
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
New York has been earning their edge on the defensive side of the ball this season. The Knicks only allow 104 points per game to their opponents, while giving up a 44% shooting percentage from the field. The Bucks have been a pretty good offensive team, but they rank relatively poorly in shooting efficiency, effective field goal percentage, and regular field goal percentage. This Knicks defense should hold up well against Milwaukee's somewhat overrated offense.
The Bucks have been one of the worst teams in the NBA for bettors. They've earned a respectable record in straight-up play, but their numbers against the spread are horrendous. Milwaukee is 21-29 against the spread on the year, with a 9-16 record ATS at home. The Bucks have consistently failed to cover in games similar to this one, and now they're being asked to cover an almost double-digit spread.
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Knicks may be a good defensive team, but they've been absolutely abysmal on offense all season long. New York ranks inside the bottom five in the NBA in almost every single important offensive metric, including effective field goal percentage, shooting efficiency, shooting percentage, and points per game. It doesn't take much defensively to stop this Knicks team. The Bucks haven't been great on offense, but they've been good enough to stop New York.
Home court advantage will certainly play a big factor for the Bucks here. The Knicks have been poor on the road, earning themselves an 11-12 record when they play away from home. Milwaukee has been one of the better home teams in the NBA with an 11-5 record in Fiserv Forum. It helps that the Knicks have lost four of their last five on the road and are playing their third straight game away from Madison Square Garden.
Click here for our Risk Free $1000 Bet!
*To claim, new users need to register, make a first deposit, and then simply place their first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook up to $1000! If a user loses their first wager, we’ll refund their loses in the form of a free-bet up to $1000!*
Final Knicks-Bucks Prediction & Pick
Neither side of the spread looks particularly enticing in this one. Instead, the under is the best pick. New York's staunch defense and offensive incompetence will lead the way to an easy cash for the under.
Final Knicks-Bucks Prediction & Pick: Under: 217 (-110)
Follow Us
Subscribe