Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks - 12/21/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -11

Total/Over-Under: 228.5

Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks (25-4, 1st in the Central Division) go to Madison Square Garden on Saturday where they'll meet the New York Knicks (7-21, 5th in the Atlantic Division). New York opens this game as 11 point underdogs. The O/U has been set at 228.5.

The Bucks are covering 55.2% of the time, having gone 16-13-0 ATS. New York is covering 53.6% of the time, going 15-13-0 against the spread.

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/19/2019 Dragan Bender SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 21
12/14/2019 Eric Bledsoe PG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 30

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/19/2019 Allonzo Trier SG Concussion Game Time Decision
12/19/2019 Wayne Ellington SG Achilles Expected to be out until at least Dec 21
12/18/2019 Frank Ntilikina PG Illness Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Julius Randle PF Leg Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton comes into this contest averaging 18.0 points per game while playing 27.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 87%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 31.8 points per game in 31.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.4 assists per contest and 12.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 57% for the year while his free throw percentage is 60%.

Player Spotlight

Marcus Morris averages 18.8 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Julius Randle averages 17.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.8 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 67%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 120.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 12.7 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 50.9 rebounds per game and 25.8 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.6 per game. The Bucks allow 107.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 24.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 30th in the league with 102.7 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 20.5. The Knicks are 21st in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Knicks surrender 111.5 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 14th with 45.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 102.6 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 104.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 1st. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Milwaukee is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Knicks are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.5, and their defensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 29th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Bucks/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -11

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