The Milwaukee Bucks (27-23) clash with the New York Knicks (23-29) at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018, and will air on MSG Network.
Milwaukee is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 208 points.
New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks ATS Prediction
The Knicks are hoping for a better outcome after their 103-73 loss to the Boston Celtics in their last matchup. Boston’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over New York. The Celtics had a rate of 0.548 (above their season average of 0.517), while the Knicks posted a mark of 0.339 (below their season average of 0.519). Enes Kanter led New York in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
The last time the Bucks played, they were blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 108-89. Minnesota’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Milwaukee. The Timberwolves had a rate of 0.583 (above their season average of 0.521), while the Bucks posted a mark of 0.412 (below their season average of 0.535). With 17 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo put together a solid performance for Milwaukee.
New York could have a tough time creating turnovers. Milwaukee ranks eighth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.4 percent), while New York forces the seventh-fewest turnovers (13.4 percent).
New York holds records of 23-29 straight up (SU) and 27-25 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Knicks games, with 27 overs compared to 24 unders.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 27-23 SU and 22-22-5 ATS. Of the Bucks’ 49 games that accepted bets, 26 have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Kanter (17.6 points and 12.0 rebounds) has been stellar for the Knicks while John Henson (11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks) has made solid contributions to the Bucks.
After the Bucks won two out of three contests against the Knicks last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last game, Milwaukee won 104-93. The Bucks knocked down 22 of their 28 free throws (78.6 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (7.5 vs. 14.4).
New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
New York is 11-16 ATS on the road with 15 overs, 11 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 10-13-3 ATS at home with 13 overs, 12 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 12-3 when they allow less than 100 points, while New York is 11-1.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Bucks are 23-12 and the Knicks are 22-16.
Milwaukee ranks fifth in steals per game (8.5) while New York ranks 28th (6.8).
The Knicks rank fifth in second chance points per game (13.6) while the Bucks rank 28th (10.1).
Milwaukee ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.3) while New York ranks 26th (31.1).
The Bucks rank eighth in fast break points per game (13.6) while the Knicks rank 29th (7.4).
New York ranks 12th in rebounds per game (44.1) while Milwaukee ranks last (38.8).
The Bucks rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.6) while the Knicks rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.8).
New York ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.9) while Milwaukee ranks 18th (45.4).
The Bucks rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Knicks rank 11th (4.6).
New York averages 23.1 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Milwaukee ranks 15th in assists allowed per game (23.0).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, New York is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.0, up from 1.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (1.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 99.0 points per game (6.4 below their season average).
