The Milwaukee Bucks (8-11) and New York Knicks (11-6) meet in NBA Cup group play Friday. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Bucks vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Milwaukee leads 1-0
Milwaukee lost its sixth straight game in a 106-103 setback against the Miami Heat Wednesday, covering as a 10-point road underdog with the Under (237) cashing. G Ryan Rollins and C Myles Turner combined for 40 points. F Giannis Antetokounmpo returned for warmups but missed his fourth straight game with a hip injury.
New York routed the Charlotte Hornets 129-101 Wednesday, covering as a 6.5-point road favorite with the Under (242) hitting. G Jalen Brunson had 33 points in just 34 minutes, and all of the other Knicks starters finished with at least 15 points. The Knicks outscored the Hornets 20-5 in fast-break points and 64-40 in the paint.
The Bucks beat the Knicks 121-111 Oct. 28 behind Antetokounmpo’s 37-point night. Rollins was another bright spot, adding 25 points, but what was most impressive in the win was Milwaukee holding the Knicks to just 40 second-half points.
Bucks at Knicks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Bucks +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Knicks -300 (bet $300 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Bucks +7.5 (-110) | Knicks -7.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Bucks at Knicks key injuries
Bucks
F Giannis Antetokounmpo (hip) questionableG Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) outF Taurean Prince (neck) out
Knicks
F OG Anunoby (hamstring) outG Landry Shamet (shoulder) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Bucks at Knicks picks and predictionsPrediction
Knicks 124, Bucks 114
PASS.
The Knicks will have no problem winning as -300 favorites with Antetokounmpo likely still out of the rotation, but they are not worth the risk of betting on as such heavy favorites. Pass here and bet the spread and/or the total instead.
BET KNICKS -7.5 (-110).
With Antetokounmpo out, the Bucks will be missing not only a ton of offense but also the defense needed to contain Knicks F Karl-Anthony Towns. We know Brunson will score, but expect Towns’ contributions to be what leads to this game ending in a blowout.
The Knicks are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games, while the Bucks are just 2-8 ATS over the same span. Finally, the Knicks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 matchups against the Bucks.
LEAN OVER 234.5 (-110).
New York ranks in the top 3 in offensive rating and top 6 in scoring offense, something that will be obvious against this banged-up Milwaukee squad. Neither team is particularly strong defensively, so expect New York’s offense to carry this game to the Over.
The Over has hit in all of the last 3 matchups between these squads and is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
This is a lean because the Under is 4-1 in New York’s last 5 games and has hit in back-to-back games for the Bucks.
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