Giannis and the Bucks Visit the hot Knicks on Monday Night - Preview, Pick and Props!

Giannis Antetokounmpo played just 22 minutes on Friday and the Hornets blew open the first quarter by a score of 51-28 leading the Bucks to an unthinkable loss against Charlotte in Milwaukee. Bobby Portis led the way with 19 points and 12 rebounds in that one and no Bucks’ starter played more than 22 minutes. The Hornets big men all went off against the Bucks and LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier both had big nights. That was the sixth straight double-double for Portis, while Antetokounmpo’s nine points were his season low.

Khris Middleton remains out for the Bucks but is traveling with the team, meaning he might finally be ready to come back from his sore right knee sometime this week. Serge Ibaka is out for personal reasons tonight, although he’s fallen out of the rotation this season. The Bucks, still viewed as one of the best teams in the league because of Giannis, have now lost six of their last eight games and will face a solid Knicks team in front of a hungry fanbase in the Garden tonight. The Bucks are 2-0 against the Knicks thus far, taking Game 1 on Oct. 28 by a score of 119-108 and winning at New York 109-103 on Nov. 30. 

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But this may be a different Knicks team than what the Bucks have seen before. Shortly after suffering the Nov. 30 loss to the Bucks the Knicks went on an eight-game winning streak, then lost five in a row, and they’re now back on a winning streak, rattling off four straight Ws, including a win over the Suns and another win at Toronto on Friday. Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 38 points last Wednesday, Julius Randle has scored between 25 and 41 points in nine straight games and Mitchell Robinson had 10 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks on Friday. Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley have also been contributing heavily with RJ Barrett nursing a finger injury. Barrett is the only Knick on the injury report and is listed as doubtful for tonight, meaning he’s likely to miss his sixth straight game. However, he practiced on Sunday and should be back this week.

The Knicks have won three of their last four against the spread and the Bucks have won two of their last three ATS. The line has been fluctuating and now has the Bucks +1 on Monday afternoon. Top Oddscrowd bettor DAMF likes the Knicks getting 2.5 points at home and even though that spread is down to them now giving a single point, we’re kind of feeling the Knicks at home, as well. You know both teams will be fired up and motivated to be in the Garden and Giannis had 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in 37 minutes the last time he was there on Nov. 30. But the Knicks are hot and Brunson and Randall have been on fire. If they can keep it going tonight this should be a great game and one the Knicks can win at home.

Pick: Knicks -1

Prop 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 44.5 total points & rebounds -106 at FanDuel

Prop 2: Julius Randle Over 37.5 total points & rebounds -115 at FanDuel

Prop 3: Jalen Brunson Over 30.5 total points & assists -115 at FanDuel