Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Betting Prediction 12/21/19

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The Milwaukee Bucks (25-4), the NBA’s top scoring team and 12.5-point favorites, will take on the New York Knicks (7-22) at Madison Square Garden. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 227 points and it will air on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks Betting Odds

The Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in their last matchup, 111-104, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The Knicks, meanwhile, were topped by the Miami Heat, 129-114, and failed to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Milwaukee game finished 12 points under the projected point total of 227, while the New York game went 17.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5.

Milwaukee dominated every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 12.5 (worse than their season average of 12.2) and a free throw rate of 0.299 (above their season average of 0.199). For those same stats, Los Angeles was 16.6 and 0.225, respectively. New York, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 6.9 (better than their season average of 12.5). New York received a boost from Bobby Portis, who finished with 30 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a good game for Milwaukee, putting up 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

In their first matchup this year, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 132-88 win. He notched a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 220 points, which was just under the projected point total of 222.5, and Milwaukee covered as a 17-point favorite. Milwaukee’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over New York. The Bucks had a rate of 0.651 while the Knicks posted a mark of 0.363.

Bucks games have typically finished over the projected point total (55.2 percent). Milwaukee holds records of 25-4 straight up (SU) and 16-13 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Milwaukee, games including the Knicks tend to go under the O/U total (60.7 percent). Further, New York is 7-22 SU and 14-13-1 ATS.

New York might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. Milwaukee ranks first in defensive efficiency while the Knicks rank 27th in offensive efficiency. This contest should be a battle of contrasting paces. The aggressively-paced Bucks rank fourth in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Knicks rank 26th.

Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks Free Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks and Knicks rank second in steals allows per game (6.6).
  • Milwaukee ranks second in fast break points per game (19.2) while New York ranks 28th (10.5).
  • The Bucks rank seventh in assists per game (25.8) while the Knicks rank 29th (20.6).
  • Milwaukee averages 50.9 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the NBA. New York ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (45.9).
  • Milwaukee averages 18.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. New York ranks 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.1).
  • The Bucks rank third in points in the paint per game (52.8) while the Knicks rank 28th (43.3).
  • The Bucks rank first in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Knicks rank 11th (12.8).
  • Milwaukee averages 39.4 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. New York ranks 26th in three pointers allowed per game (35.3).
  • When holding opponents under 100 points, Milwaukee is 6-0 and New York is 1-1.
  • The Knicks are 7-13 when they score over 100 points, while the Bucks are 25-4.
  • New York is 6-7-1 ATS at home, while Milwaukee is 7-6 ATS on the road.
  • The Bucks have 7 overs and 6 unders in 13 road games.
  • The Knicks have 10 unders and 4 overs in 14 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Milwaukee and New York are both 4-1 ATS.
  • The Bucks have 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games, while the Knicks have 3 overs and 2 unders
  • The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, down from 12.7 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 117.8 points per game (14.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.6 points per game (4.5 above their season average).