The Knickerbockers are 5 ½ games out of the eight spot in the east, and will likely miss the playoffs yet again. They had a good look at their potential backcourt of the future with Carmelo Anthony sidelined (sore knee) during Monday’s come-from-behind win at Orlando, 113-105.
Both Chasson Randle and Justin Holiday logged in at least 25 minutes off the bench, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and zero turnovers combined. Courtney Lee led the team with 20 points, including 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Anthony plans to play tonight against Milwaukee, so expect the Knicks’ offense to revolve mainly on him. Melo is averaging a team-best 23.2 points per game and is posting 28.0 points with 8.5 rebounds and assists in a home-and-home set with the Bucks early in January. The result was a split, with the Knicks winning the second meeting on the road, 116-111.
New York is 4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS in its previous 10 road games.
The young Bucks are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, and they can stretch that further in this evening’s final meeting with the Knicks—the first of a three-game home stand.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has finished with at least 21 points while shooting at an incredible 64.1 field goal percentage during his club’s current run. At the same time, he’s been receiving ample support from his buddies in Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon who are averaging 19.2 and 14.8 points, respectively, in the last four games.
Brogdon is also 10-for-19 from three-point range in the last five outings. He is certainly a solid candidate for Rookie of the Year this season.
There have been some positives on defense, too. Milwaukee’s held its previous two opponents below 100 points and is forcing 15 turnovers per game this month.
The Bucks are only 1.5 games short of the final playoff seed in the east, and they are 4-6 SU and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games.
