The NBA has treated basketball fans worldwide with a thrilling Friday night matchup between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks. While injuries to Jalen Brunson and Damian Lillard will reduce the star power on the court, this still presents a great opportunity to make predictions. The Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, will face off head-to-head against Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. Both of these dominant big men were named to the NBA All-Star team and will be responsible for carrying the offensive workload for their respective franchises. These two teams are jostling for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference, and they would face off in the first round if the season ended today. In this potential first-round playoff preview, both teams will want to send a message that they can win games without their star guards.
Matchup: Knicks vs Bucks Overview
- Teams: New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks
- Date: Friday, March 28th, 2025
- Time: Tip-off is at 8 PM EST
- Venue: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Win Probabilities:
The NBA win probabilities have been generated, and the injury report will play a significant role in determining which team can walk away victorious on Friday night. The Bucks have the benefit of playing on their home court but have a slightly lower win probability, with a 48.42% chance to win this game. On the other hand, the New York Knicks have been consistent on the road this season, holding a 51.58% chance of improving their 21-15 record away from Madison Square Garden, according to the NBA’s win probabilities.
Projected Final Score:
Based on expert picks and insights from recent NBA games, the projected final score for this matchup is: New York Knicks 112-111 Milwaukee Bucks.
Knicks vs Bucks Odds
The NBA odds suggest a tight matchup between these two teams, with little separating them. Jalen Brunson and Damian Lillard are crucial to their respective offenses, but the Knicks’ well-rounded starting five has made them slight favorites on the road. Typically, these two teams generate high totals in the NBA odds, but Lillard’s absence has made the Bucks better defensively but weaker offensively, which has pushed the total points lower than usual for this game.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the New York Knicks Could Win
The New York Knicks have been without Jalen Brunson for three weeks and have begun adjusting to life without their star guard. Karl-Anthony Towns has stepped up, generating his own offense for New York, while Josh Hart has been an excellent distributor behind the arc. Not only is Brunson sidelined, but backup guard Miles McBride is also dealing with a lingering injury. The Knicks’ bench is average at best, but there are no weak points in their starting five, and they will feel confident in their ability to exploit the Bucks’ lack of offense outside of Antetokounmpo on Friday.
New York does a great job slowing down big men, and Towns will have his hands full with the Greek Freak. Josh Hart will also spend time defending Antetokounmpo and has shown he is capable of limiting the effectiveness of the Bucks’ superstar. However, Antetokounmpo is nearly impossible to stop once he gets a head of steam heading into the paint, and his ability to will his way to the rim is unmatched. The Bucks are a dangerous team but have gone just 4-6 in their last 10 games. If New York wants to hold onto their 3rd seed in the East, winning games against the chasing pack is crucial.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks Could Win
Giannis Antetokounmpo has always been the face of the Bucks, but now that Damian Lillard is injured, even more responsibility falls onto his shoulders. Brook Lopez and Antetokounmpo bring a height advantage that most teams struggle to deal with, and they can usually exploit that on the offensive end. They also excel at gobbling up rebounds, and the Knicks can occasionally fall asleep on the glass.
It’s becoming increasingly likely that Damian Lillard will not play again this season, and this is the perfect test for the Bucks to see if they can beat strong NBA teams without him. New York is in a funk of their own, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, and a strong start for the Bucks could be enough to get them across the finish line. The sharpshooting of Gary Trent Jr. has helped Milwaukee move past Lillard’s absence, and he will now have a crucial role to play in what could be a deep Bucks postseason run. Milwaukee boasts a unique combination of young prospects and seasoned NBA veterans and will look to force the Knicks to adjust their offense against their length—all without Jalen Brunson.
How to Make New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks
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