The Milwaukee Bucks will host the New York Knicks tonight as they look to retain their position as the final Eastern Conference playoff team. The Bucks moved past the Bulls into the eighth spot after Chicago lost to the Heat in double overtime last night. This evening's contest is set to tip off at 8:00pm ET at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks at Bodoglife.com have the Knicks listed as a +3.5 against the spread underdog.
New York is 25-37 and in fourth place in the Atlantic division; they are two and half back of the third place Nets and they trail the first place Celtics by 23 games. However, they are a mere three games back of the Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 21 games left in the season.
The Knicks kicked off their current five game road swing with a 101-106 loss to New Jersey on Sunday night in East Rutherford. The loss was the seventh in their last eight road games. New York shot 51.3 percent from the field and had six players in double figures, but they could not overcome 19 turnovers and 60 combined points from Vince Carter and Devin Harris.
New York is a pathetic 7-22 on the road this year and their 108.4 points per game allowed road average is one of the worst in the league. They do average 103.1 per game in opposing arenas, a tally that ranks fourth in the league.
Milwaukee boasts a 30-36 record and a third place standing in the Central division. They moved into the final Eastern Conference playoff spot last night with Chicago's loss, but they have little margin for error with the Bulls, Nets, Bobcats, Pacers, and Knicks all within striking distance.
The Bucks snapped a three game skid on Saturday night at the Bradley Center, beating the Golden State Warriors 127-120. Milwaukee hit a staggering 52.9 percent from beyond the arc, dished out 26 assists, and forced 20 Golden State turnovers in the winning effort. They also had seven players in double figures, led by Richard Jefferson's 35 points.
Milwaukee is a respectable 19-12 at the Bradley Center this year; however they are just 6-6 in their last 12 games there. The Bucks average 104.7 points per game at home, a mark that ranks ninth in the league.
New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks:
New York Knicks +3.5 (-110), Over 223 (-105), +145 (Moneyline)
Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 (-110), Under 223 (-115), -165 (Moneyline)
