The New York Knicks (24-41) will attempt to snap their five-game losing streak when they square off with the Milwaukee Bucks (34-31) at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game can be seen on MSG Network at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 213.5 points with Milwaukee set as a 9.5-point favorite.
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
The Knicks are trying to rebound after their 111-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing. Making free throws was one of Portland’s largest strengths. They were 21-24 (87.5 percent), while the Knicks were just 10-15 (66.7 percent). New York’s Enes Kanter played well, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Bucks’ last matchup, they lost to the Houston Rockets, 110-99. Houston out-rebounded Milwaukee. The Rockets had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. six), defensive rebounds (35 vs. 32) and total rebounds (47 vs. 38). Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton had 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the contest.
The aggressive Milwaukee offense might be living from the charity stripe in this matchup. The Bucks rank fourth in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.226, while New York ranks 21st in FTA rate allowed (0.202). Also, the Knicks rank 24th in turnover percentage (14.7 percent), while the Bucks rank fifth in opponents’ turnover percentage (14.9 percent).
New York heads into the contest with records of 24-41 straight up (SU) and 29-36 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Knicks’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 34-31 SU and 27-33-5 ATS. Unlike New York, a little over half of Bucks games have finished under the projected point total.
The Bucks have emerged victorious in both matchups against the Knicks this year, including a 103-89 victory in their last matchup. Milwaukee covered as a 2-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 192 points, which was 16.5 points below the projected point total of 208.5 points. The Bucks knocked down 21 of their 27 free throws (77.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (13.0 vs. 15.1). Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, New York is 13-22 ATS with 18 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
At home, Milwaukee is 11-20-3 ATS with 17 unders, 16 overs and 1 push.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Milwaukee is 16-5 and New York is 11-3.
The Bucks are 28-15 when they score more than 100 points, while the Knicks are 23-21.
New York ranks fifth in second chance points per game (13.6) while Milwaukee ranks 28th (10.4).
The Bucks rank fifth in steals per game (8.5) while the Knicks rank 27th (6.8).
Milwaukee ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.7) while New York ranks 24th (30.6).
The Bucks rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (17.8) while the Knicks rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
Milwaukee ranks 10th in fast break points per game (13.5) while New York ranks 28th (7.8).
The Knicks rank 12th in rebounds per game (44.1) while the Bucks rank last (39.5).
New York ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (46.5) while Milwaukee ranks 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (45.9).
The Bucks rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while the Knicks rank 15th (4.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New York is 0-5 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Milwaukee is 1-4 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 14.6, up from 3.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 97.8 points per game (6.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
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