Knicks vs. Bucks (Oct. 28): Visitors face tall task in Milwaukee

After a disappointing campaign last season, the New York Knicks have started the new NBA season, dropping only one of their first four games. But they are up against quite the difficult challenge tonight as they visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.

Following a season-opening overtime loss to Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in Memphis, the Knicks have scored home victories over the Pistons, Magic, and Hornets.

But the competition is a lot stiffer as they hit the road again, with the only remaining unbeaten team in the NBA on the schedule tonight.

Giannis has been doing Giannis things to start the season to lead the Bucks to wins over the 76ers, Rockets, and Nets, and odds for this matchup forecast more of the same.

New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: New York Knicks (3-1) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (3-0)
• Venue & Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
• Game Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. local time)

Knicks vs. Bucks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, October 28 at 5:30 a.m. Eastern.

Spread

• New York Knicks +5.5 (-106)
• Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-114)

Over/Under

• Over 223 (-110)
• Under 223 (-110)

Moneyline

• New York Knicks +194
• Milwaukee Bucks -235

New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction and Best Bets

Knicks vs. Bucks Prediction: Bucks to win

Knicks vs. Bucks Best Bet: Bucks to cover (Best Value: Bucks -5.5 @ -110 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM)

The Knicks are getting a nice early return on their offseason investment in Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 20.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 8.5 APG and shooting 51.7% overall, 41.2% from three, and 84.6% from the stripe.

In Wednesday’s overtime win over the Hornets, Brunson had 27 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists, registering season highs in all three categories.

But if the visitors are to have a chance in Milwaukee, R.J. Barrett will really need to rise to the occasion. Barrett has had back-to-back 20-point games, but he has made only 3 of 21 three-point attempts thus far, with all of the makes coming in Monday’s win over Orlando.

That said, I don’t see anything other than a Bucks win here. Giannis is the team’s primary option all the time, but with Khris Middleton sidelined to start the season, he is really shouldering the load early.

Against the Rockets, he attempted 21 field goals and 13 free throws attempted on the way to 44 points in 28 minutes, and he attempted 25 field goals and 14 free throws on the way to 43 points in 38 minutes against the Nets on Wednesday.

Giannis tells Ben Simmons he's too small. pic.twitter.com/DMeT5A5sLS

— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) October 27, 2022

The Bucks put away the Rockets by 20 and the Nets by 11, and I expect them to handle the Knicks by a comfortable margin tonight behind another big game for Giannis, who averages more points per game against Atlantic Division opposition (22.6 PPG in 145 games) than he does against any other division.

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