Betsided

Bucks vs. Knicks Prediction and Odds: Expect an Inspired Outing by New York

By Ben Heisler

New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin will have a major challenge on his hands to try and slow down Giannis Antetokoumpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin will have a major challenge on his hands to try and slow down Giannis Antetokoumpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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After a darling of a 2020-21 season, the New York Knicks are playing themselves right out of the playoff picture.

The good news is there's still more than two-thirds of the season left to play, but at 12-14 and 8-12 in the Eastern Conference, they'll need to start getting back on track.

Enter the 17-10 Milwaukee Bucks, who tip-off at Madison Square Garden for an early noon matinee ballgame this afternoon. Milwaukee holds the second-best conference record behind only the Brooklyn Nets (18-8) in the East, and are in the midst of a four-game road trip.

Here are the odds via WynnBET:

Bucks vs. Knicks Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Bucks: +4.5 (-110)
  • Knicks: +4.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Bucks: -180
  • Knicks:+160

Total:

  • 216.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Bucks vs. Knicks Prediction and Pick

As BetSided's Peter Dewey always seems to bring up in our daily meetings, the Knicks play to the level of their competition. They're 7-6 against teams with winning records, compared to just 5-8 vs. teams below .500.

They also have seemed to figure out how to best contain Giannis Antetokounmpo. In their two meetings against him, he's only averaged 20 points, far below his season average of 27.6 per game. He's also coming off a 41 point and 17 rebound outing on Friday night vs. the Rockets, but had to play almost 37 minutes to get it done. While it's not a back-to-back turnaround, it's still not a traditional amount of rest coming off a large amount of minutes on a road trip.

Knowing they can neutralize Giannis, I think the Knicks can get their confidence back at home this afternoon. I also expect the public to be heavy on the Bucks as only 4.5-point favorites.

Back the books and take the Knicks. You can even consider a little sprinkle on the moneyline at +160.

Pick: Knicks -4.5 (-110)

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