Knicks at Bucks: Betting Preview & Pick for Dec 5

New York Knicks (12-7 SU, 12-7 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (14-6 SU, 8-12 ATS)

When: Tuesday, December 5th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: Fiserv Forum, WI, Milwaukee

TV: TNT

Point Spread: NY +4.5/Mil -4.5

Total: 226.5

Money Line: New York Knicks +164/-200

Notable Injuries

Knicks

• Evan Fournier (Questionable) Illness
• DaQuan Jeffries (Questionable) Illness

Bucks

• Jae Crowder (Out) Groin
• Pat Connaughton (Out) Ankle
• Andre Jackson Jr. (Questionable) Back

Recent Form

As the Knicks prepare for today’s game, they have a 12-7 overall record and have won three straight games. At home, the Knicks are 6-3, while they are 6-4 in away games.

Coming into today’s game, the Bucks are 14-6 overall and have gone 4-1 in their last five games. In the Eastern Conference, they are ranked 3rd and are in 1st place in the Central division.

The Historicals

Over the last five head to head meetings, the Bucks have averaged 114 points per game compared to 106 for New York. This has led to an ATS record of 3-1-1 for Milwaukee. In these contests, they averaged a combined 220 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

The Knicks recently showcased a strong offensive performance, scoring 119 points against the Raptors. This output exceeded their season average of 110.9 points per game. The top scorer for the Knicks was Jalen Brunson with 22 points, while Donte DiVincenzo also added 21 to the scoreboard.

So far this season, the Knicks’ defense has been performing well, ranking 1st in the NBA at 105.5 points allowed per contest.

When it comes to forced turnovers, the Knicks are forcing 12.1 per game, which is 5th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 30th in blocked shots at 2.9 per game.

Milwaukee’s offense is coming off a good game, putting up 132 points vs. the Hawks. Overall, they hit 59.6% of their shots from the field and went 12/15 from the free-throw line. Currently leading the team in scoring is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who comes into today’s matchup averaging 29.9. Damian Lillard also heads into the game with a PPG average of 25.5.

At present, the Bucks’ defense is ranked 24th, allowing 118.1 points per game.

Milwaukee’s defense is currently forcing 13.4 turnovers per game, which is 15th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 14th in blocked shots, with an average of 5.5 rejections per game.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road contests, the Knicks offense has averaged 110 points per game while allowing an average of 107. New York posted an overall record of 6-4 while going 7-3 ATS.
• The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last home games and 3-2 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, New York has an ATS mark of 3-2 while going 2-3 straight up.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 9-1 and an ATS mark of 6-4.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Heading into this quarter-final matchup between New York and Milwaukee, the Bucks are favored by 4.5. I see the Knicks coming out as the hungrier team, looking to pull off the upset. Milwaukee has a tendency to coast throughout the game and often find themselves down in 4th quarter. Look for the Knicks to cover the spread, and if you’re feeling aggressive, take them on the money line.