New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Knicks vs Bucks November 8th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Knicks will host the Bucks in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks are favored by 7.5 points and have a record of 3-4, while the Bucks are 2-6 and are +255 on the moneyline.

This game will be played at Madison Square Garden and can be seen on MSG. The over/under line is currently set at 225.5.

Bucks vs. Knicks Key Information

The Bucks improved to 2-6 on the season after a 123-100 home win over the Jazz on Thursday. Milwaukee, favored by 10 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 223 points fell short of the 231.5-point line.

Milwaukee went on an early 11-0 run, turning a 9-7 deficit into an 18-9 lead. After trailing 61-57 at halftime, the Bucks dominated the second half, outscoring the Jazz 31-16 in the 3rd quarter and 35-23 in the 4th.

Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Bucks to a win over the Jazz, with Lillard scoring 34 points and 7 assists, and Giannis adding 31 points and 16 rebounds. Lillard’s 14 points in the 1st quarter set the tone, and he added 11 more in the 3rd.

The Bucks shot 51.2% from the field and hit 15 threes at a 42.9% rate. Bobby Portis contributed 19 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter, while AJ Green added 12 points, with 6 coming in the final period.

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Despite giving up 61 points in the 1st half, the Bucks tightened up defensively in the 3rd quarter, allowing just 16 points to help secure a win over the Jazz. Milwaukee gave up 100 points in total, with Utah shooting 42% from the field.

The Bucks struggled to contain the Jazz from beyond the arc, allowing 17 threes on 41% shooting. Milwaukee also sent Utah to the line 18 times, where they made 17 free throws. Defensively, the Bucks recorded 13 steals and 3 blocks.

The Knicks fell to 3-4 on the season after a 121-116 road loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. New York, who entered the game as 7-point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 237 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 226.5 by 10.5 points.

New York trailed 26-22 after the 1st quarter but kept pace with Atlanta in the 2nd, with both teams scoring 39 points. The Knicks edged the Hawks 28-24 in the 3rd, but a 32-27 4th quarter in favor of Atlanta sealed the game.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 34 points and 16 rebounds in their 121-116 loss to the Hawks, hitting 5 threes at a 55.6% clip. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, including 9 in the 3rd quarter, and Miles McBride chipped in 16 points, connecting on 4 threes at 66.7% efficiency.

The Knicks hit 22 threes as a team, shooting 46.8% from beyond the arc and 48.8% overall. Towns added 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Josh Hart contributed 8 of his 14 points in the final period.

The Knicks struggled defensively in the 2nd quarter, giving up 39 points, which contributed to their 121-116 loss to the Hawks. They tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 24 points, but a 32-point 4th quarter from Atlanta sealed the game. Overall, the Knicks allowed the Hawks to shoot 45% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Knicks gave up 15 threes on 39% shooting. They also sent the Hawks to the line 22 times, where they made 16 free throws. New York finished with 34 defensive rebounds but allowed 16 offensive boards, while also recording 5 steals and 5 blocks.

Coming in as the underdogs at +7.5, we have the Bucks as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 225.5, and our model projects the Bucks and Knicks to reach a combined total of 251 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Knicks Look to Rebound at Home Against Surging Bucks

The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden on Friday night, eager to snap a two-game losing streak as they face the Milwaukee Bucks, who are riding high after a dominant win the previous night.

Bucks Regain Form Behind Lillard’s Scoring Surge

The Bucks, who had dropped six straight games, finally found their rhythm on Thursday, crushing the Utah Jazz 123-100. Damian Lillard was in prime form, tallying 34 points, building on a stretch where he’s consistently delivered offensively. Lillard has scored at least 30 points in five of Milwaukee’s eight games this season, and his latest effort comes after back-to-back games where he racked up a combined 77 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Getting off to a rough start, it’s easy to get down on yourself and start to panic,” Lillard said. “Tonight, we just came out with the right mentality.”

Lillard’s hot streak has been complemented by the strong play of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who notched 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Thursday’s win. Despite dealing with a recent adductor injury that kept him out against Cleveland, Giannis was cleared to play just hours before Thursday’s game and showed no signs of rust.

Knicks Struggling to Find Consistency on Defense

The Knicks wrapped up a four-game road trip with a mixed bag of results, winning the first two against the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons but faltering against the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. New York allowed 121 points to Atlanta on Wednesday in a game that exposed their defensive vulnerabilities.

Karl-Anthony Towns, acquired in the offseason to bolster New York’s frontcourt, has been a consistent offensive force. He poured in 34 points against the Hawks, following a 44-point performance in the win over the Heat earlier in the trip.

However, Towns acknowledged that his team’s lack of energy, particularly in rebounding and interior defense, has been a critical issue.

“One of the things I’ve got to always do is instill energy into the game, and I came out sluggish,” Towns admitted. “I take responsibility for that. Our guards are working hard every night with their matchups. I’ve got to do better.”

The Knicks’ defense has been inconsistent, allowing an average of 118 points in their four losses, while holding opponents to just 101 points per game in their three victories. A glaring issue has been points in the paint; New York is currently allowing 51.4 points per game inside, with Atlanta scoring 58 in their recent matchup.

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Injury Updates and Key Matchups

• Precious Achiuwa remains sidelined for the Knicks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Achiuwa, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors last season, was expected to be a key interior presence for New York. His absence has left a noticeable gap in rebounding and shot-blocking.
• For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s availability will be closely monitored given his recent injury. His performance against the Jazz was a positive sign, but the Bucks may exercise caution given the short turnaround.
• The Knicks will need to devise a game plan to contain Damian Lillard, who is on a scoring tear. Expect the Knicks’ defensive schemes to focus on limiting Lillard’s 3-point shooting while also keeping an eye on Giannis’ dominance in the paint.

Outlook

The Knicks have shown they can be a tough team to beat when they bring energy and defensive intensity, particularly at home. However, they face a Bucks squad that seems to have rediscovered its form behind the dynamic duo of Lillard and Antetokounmpo.

For New York, getting back on track will require better perimeter defense and an emphasis on protecting the paint. The return to Madison Square Garden could provide a boost, but they’ll need strong performances from Towns and their supporting cast to overcome a red-hot Milwaukee team eager to continue their winning ways.

Friday’s matchup promises to be an exciting clash of styles, with the Knicks looking to slow down the Bucks’ high-octane offense in front of their home crowd.