The six-game slate awaits us in the NBA on Monday, January 9, including this intriguing conference clash in the Big Apple, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Bucks vs. Knicks betting pick and odds.

New York is searching for the fifth consecutive win when they welcome Milwaukee at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks are 4-point favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 226 points. These conference rivals have already met twice this year, and the Bucks won both games.

Bucks have dissolved in a disappointing loss against the Hornets

The Milwaukee Bucks (25-14, 20-17-2 ATS) displayed one of their weakest performances of the season in a blowout 138-109 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Losing to one of the worst teams in the NBA is bad already, but losing by almost 30 points at home is criminal. The Bucks were careless with the ball in possession and committed 17 turnovers, forcing just five in return. Charlotte was also better in assists (32-22) and had three individuals with 20+ points. Milwaukee will now open a four-game road trip with this tilt against the Knicks.

Bobby Portis led the Bucks with a double-double of 19 points and team-high 12 rebounds. A.J. Green scored 13, Grayson Allen added 12, and Jrue Holiday had 12 points and team-high four assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo was limited to nine points and four boards in 22 minutes on the floor.

SF Khris Middleton is idle with right knee soreness, and he will remain sidelined until at least the middle of January.

Knicks grabbed the fourth straight win

The New York Knicks (22-18, 21-17-2 ATS) successfully bounced back from their toughest period of the campaign and five consecutive defeats with four wins in a row. Their latest victory came on the road against the divisional foes Toronto Raptors. The Knicks kept the hosts to 42.2% from the field, made 16 three-pointers opposite the Raptors’ ten, and forced 13 turnovers while committing seven on the other end. Also, New York hit ten more free throws (28-18) in a 122-118 win.

Julius Randle led the Knicks with a double-double of 33 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Brunson contributed 26 points, game-high eight assists, and five boards, Quentin Grimes scored 16, Immanuel Quickley posted a 13/5/4 line, while Mitchell Robinson registered a double-double of ten points and game-high 18 rebounds with a couple of blocks.  

PF Obi Toppin (calf) is out indefinitely. SF RJ Barrett is doubtful with a right index finger laceration, and he is expected to miss the sixth consecutive game, but could be back at one point next week.

Trends:

Milwaukee:

  • 1-4 ATS in the last five road games
  • 0-3-1 ATS in the last four games playing on two days of rest
  • 1-6 ATS in the last seven Monday games

New York:

  • 12-5 ATS in the last 17 games overall
  • 8-3-1 ATS in the last 12 games following an ATS win
  • 22-8 ATS in the last 30 Monday games

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Pick

Milwaukee did open the season furiously with nine wins in a row, but the Bucks are not playing that well of late. They lost six of the previous nine games and dropped to the 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks are playing well and moved up to the No. 6 seed, and it seems that they can exploit Milwaukee’s current vulnerable position and record the first H2H win of the season after losing the opening two meetings. The Knicks have a slightly better offense that averages 114.2 points per game opposite Milwaukee’s 112.4 ppg and are better in offensive rating, while the defenses are pretty tied. The Bucks lost six of the last eight road games, and I am going with the hosts to cover this one, while I wouldn’t be surprised if the Knicks get a win.

Pick: Take the Knicks at +5.5 (-130)

The Total

New York’s defense has been excellent recently; the Knicks allowed more than 108 points only once in the last four games and managed to keep the opponents below 90 in two. The Bucks surrendered 138 in a loss to Charlotte, but that is not going to happen again. Both teams belong among the top 10 in the NBA when it comes to defensive rating. Under is 5-2 in the last seven H2H meetings, while Under is 20-8 in the previous 28 H2H duels in New York.

Pick: Go Under 228.5 points (-130)