The New York Knicks (7-16) will try to slow down the league’s top scoring team when they square off with the Milwaukee Bucks (15-6) at Madison Square Garden. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 231 points with Milwaukee opening as an 8.5-point favorite.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
In the Bucks’ last contest, they defeated the Chicago Bulls, 116-113, but they were not able to cover as 15-point favorites. The total points for the game (229) finished just under the projected point total of 230. Milwaukee had a better effective field goal percentage (0.563 vs. 0.511). Chicago, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (22-29; 75.9 percent). Milwaukee received a boost from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was the game’s leading scorer with 36 points on 14-for-21 shooting.
The Knicks were blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers in their last contest, 117-91. They were not able to cover as 12.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (208) finished well under the O/U total of 227. Philadelphia made 12 of their 25 three pointers (48.0 percent). New York, meanwhile, was 6-29 (20.7 percent). New York’s Mario Hezonja finished with 17 points and five rebounds in the contest.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 31 points and the Bucks defeated the Knicks 124-113 but could not cover as 11.5-point favorites. He also put up 15 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 237 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 227 points. The Bucks had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.3 vs. 23.4) and had a better free throw rate (0.177 vs. 0.131).
Milwaukee holds records of 15-6 straight up (SU) and 11-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Bucks are playing, as 14 of their 21 games have gone over the O/U total.
Although New York struggles winning games outright (7-16 SU), they have a solid 13-9-1 record ATS. Of the Knicks’ 23 games, 12 have finished over the O/U total.
Antetokounmpo and Malcolm Brogdon have been playing well over the last five games for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo has averaged 30 points,13.8 rebounds,7.0 assists,1.8 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Brogdon has recorded 17 points,3.6 assists a game during that span.
The ineffective offense of New York will face off against the top-notch defense of Milwaukee. The Knicks currently rank 26th in offensive efficiency, while the Bucks are fifth in defensive efficiency. The Bucks should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Odds Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Milwaukee is 3-5 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
New York is 5-3-1 ATS at home with 5 unders and 4 overs.
Milwaukee is 3-0 when they allow below 100 points, while New York is 2-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Knicks are 7-12 and the Bucks are 15-6.
Milwaukee ranks second in assists per game (27.3) while New York ranks last (18.6).
The Bucks rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.5) while the Knicks rank 27th (51.7).
Milwaukee averages 6.0 blocks per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. New York ranks 28th in blocks allowed per game (6.9).
The Bucks rank first in rebounds per game (50.5) while the Knicks rank 24th in rebounds allowed per game (46.3).
Milwaukee ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (40.5) while New York ranks 23rd (28.8).
The Bucks rank 2 in second chance points allowed per game (10.761904761904763) while the Knicks rank 22 (14.956521739130435).
New York ranks 18 in steals per game (7.478260869565218) while Milwaukee ranks 25 (6.857142857142857).
The Bucks average 17.142857142857142 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 13 in the NBA. The Knicks rank 20 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.782608695652176).
Milwaukee ranks 1 in fast break points allowed per game (9.380952380952381) while New York ranks 7 (11.869565217391305).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New York is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, down from 10.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 106.6 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.6 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
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