New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview (10/28/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

New York will look to build on its impressive 3-1 start against the Milwaukee Bucks, arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference. Below, I go into further analysis and detail my prediction, the current odds, projected starting lineups, and applicable injuries that could impact the game, so check it out!

New York Knicks Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

The Milwaukee Bucks are six-point home favorites against the New York Knicks. New York is again without Quentin Grimes, while Pat Connaughton and Khris Middleton are out for Milwaukee. The point total stands at 224 points; the Knicks have been over this number in three of their first four games, and the Bucks have in only one of their first three bouts.

New York Knicks Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

Milwaukee has been wildly impressive to start the 2022-23 regular season. It boasts a defensive rating of 98.3, a ridiculous statistic, even if it’s just throughout three games.

It becomes doubly impressive when you consider who the Bucks have played thus far: Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Houston. All three teams are more than capable of posting massive point totals and filling it up.

For New York, it’s incredible what can happen when you get an All-Star caliber point guard to lead your team. The Knicks haven’t had an All-Star point guard (while on their team) in decades, and while it’s unseen whether Brunson will play at that caliber, he’s certainly a massive addition.

Brunson just posted a huge 27-points, 13-assists, and seven-rebound night against Charlotte. However, he will have a tough matchup against Jrue Holiday, who is widely considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Julius Randle will also have a difficult matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo, a potential DPOY candidate. New York has been great offensively thus far in the season, but Milwaukee’s defense outmatches it. I’ll stick with the Bucks against the spread.

Betting Trends

• Milwaukee is 3-0 ATS and 2-0 at home
• New York is 3-1 ATS and 1-0 on the road

Key Matchups

The key matchup in this game will be between the New York Knicks’ offense and the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense. Milwaukee boasts a defensive rating of 98.3 through three games, while New York has an offensive rating of 116.6. It’s impressive to see the significant improvement for both of these teams on the respective ends of the floor; they were nowhere near these numbers last regular season. Check out further analysis of this matchup below.

New York Knicks’ Offense vs. Milwaukee Bucks’ Defense

It might feel vague for a key matchup to be between one team’s offense and the other’s defense; however, this is truly the case in this Eastern Conference bout. Milwaukee currently has a defensive rating that is roughly 13 points lower (better) than last season, while New York’s offensive rating is close to seven points higher (better.)

It’s early in the season, but Giannis Antetokounmpo looks determined to come home with the Defensive Player of the Year award, which would be the second in his career. Giannis is anchoring this defense and causing serious havoc on that end of the floor, even if his steal and block averages aren’t ridiculously high. Jrue Holiday and Giannis are the keys for this defense, and Milwaukee has an excellent opportunity to continue its strong start against New York.

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: R.J. Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineups

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Brook Lopez

Key Injuries

New York Knicks Injuries: Quentin Grimes (Out)

Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: Khris Middleton (Out), Pat Connaughton (Out), Joe Ingles (Out)