Game Preview: New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks, November 8, 2024

11/08/2024 01:52 PM

Two teams with hopes of a championship look for a much-needed win amidst a disappointing start.

The first few weeks of the NBA season has been an unpredictable and unexpected start for eastern conference teams. The Cavaliers, not the Celtics, stand in first place, with an immaculate 9-0 record, the Pacers and Nets are currently third and fourth with a record of 4-4, the Sixers are last in the conference at 1-6, and the two teams playing tonight, the Knicks, and the Bucks, are in the midst of a disappointing start to the season of their own, going 3-4, and 2-6 respectively.

New York has struggled to maintain any sort of consistency on the offensive end, with Jalen Brunson looking as bad as he has since becoming a Knick. Mikal Bridges, whom the Knicks gave up a treasure chest of first-round picks for, has been up and down on both sides of the floor. Josh Hart has had some head-scratching moments and is shooting under 30% from three. Deuce McBride went 0-9 in a loss two games ago. The bench, outside of McBride has been close to nonexistent. And Tom Thibodeau has been heavily criticized for his rotations, minutes distribution, and offensive schemes.

Milwaukee on the other hand, is getting superb production from their stars. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 31PPG, 12.9RPG, and 5.7APG, while Damian Lillard is averaging 28.4PPG, and 6.8APG. But neither has learned to get the most out of each other and Antetokounmpo seems reluctant to be heavily involved with or screen for Lillard. The rest of the team has just one player averaging more than 10PPG, the defense has been subpar, and there has been endless jokes about the ineptitude of both head coach Doc Rivers, and assistant coach, Darvin Ham. Needless to say, both teams are in a place they would rather not be in, and would benefit very much from a win tonight.

Projected Starters

The point guard battle between Damian Lillard and Brunson should be a fun one to keep an eye on. After having a down year by his standards last season, Lillard has gotten off to a hot start. If the Knicks want to slow Lillard down, they'll have to try and slow down his three-point shooting as so far, he's taking 10 three-pointers per game, while shooting 38.8% from three. Those numbers are both higher than the 8.5 attempts per game he averaged and 35.4% three-point percentage he posted last season.

Gary Trent Jr. will start alongside Lillard and while he's been known as a streaky shooter in the past, he's currently shooting an abysmal 29.5% from the field, and 23.1% from three. New York cannot allow him to get going and it'll make their mediocre offense a lot harder to contain.

Starting at small forward is off-season acquisition Taurean Prince. The veteran forward is averaging just 7.9PPG, but has been very efficient with the limited amount of shots he has gotten, shooting 55.8% from the field and 55.6% from three. The latter number is obviously unsustainable though, so maybe the Knicks can benefit from some negative regression tonight.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the latest star to go through the "potential trade request" treatment from the media is having another unbelievable season. The former MVP has seemingly been so good for so long that he has almost becomes underrated and underappreciated. Fans and analysts alike often gloss over his numbers and it's lead to him and his play being taken for granted sometimes. With how good he has been, and how good Karl-Anthony Towns has been for the Knicks, it could lead to a very fun back and forth matchup.

Last but not least is brother of former Knick Robin Lopez, and former cross-town rival, Brook Lopez. The 36 year-old center has taken a few steps back defensively over the last couple years, but it's been his offense that has really let him and the team down this season. Through the first eight games, Lopez is averaging just 9.6PPG on 38.4% shooting from the field while shooting just 26.8% from three on 5.1 attempts per game. Given the Knicks' past struggles against stretch centers, it is imperative that they do not like Lopez regain is past form.

Injury Report

Milwaukee: Khris Middleton (ankle) out, Giannis Antetokounmpo (thigh) probable, Gary Trent Jr. (back) questionable

New York: Cameron Payne (hamstring) questionable; Mitchell Robinson (foot) out, Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) out, Kevin McCullar Jr. (knee) out

Prediction

The eye test and the results haven't always been great so far but Knicks still rank fourth in the league in offensive rating, which has carried what has been a subpar defense. That's lead to them still having a top 10 net rating on the season. Some of that is obviously buoyed by big wins against the Pacers and Pistons, but it's still proof that they've still had some bright moments and have done some things nicely. Statistically and record-wise New York should have the advantage tonight. They have a significantly better offense statistically, and are more balanced on that end of the floor. And defensively, they are going up against a Bucks team that has been just as bad as the Knicks have been. But similar things could have been, and was, said in their last two games, both of which New York ended up losing in disappointing fashion.

Milwaukee has had a disastrous start to the season, but they are coming off of a win last night, and the combo of Antetokounmpo, and Lillard is still among the best in the league and capable of beating anybody by themselves on any given night.

With that being said, the game will come down to one player, and one player only. Jalen Brunson. From what we've seen this season, it's likely that the Bucks' two stars will have great games, while the supporting cast, and the defense stumbles. On the Knicks side, it's almost a given the OG Anunoby, and Bridges combines for about 30 points, while the former plays elite defense and the latter plays an inconsistent, but mostly good defensive game. Hart will have his few blunders but will make some big plays on the boards. And Towns, who has been the Knicks' best player thus far, will be a force on the boards while providing efficient scoring.

But Brunson has struggled mightily. In the Knicks' wins, he's more composed, making good decisions, both for himself and for his teammates. In the losses, he looks out of whack, is forcing too many actions, is playing selfishly, and is struggling to find his shot. If New York wants to come away with a much needed victory to get back to .500, it will be in his hands. And wether it's me trying to speak it into existence or not, I believe he'll come through. Knicks win a close shoot out 120-115.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks

When: Friday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

Watch: MSG Network

Follow: @ptknicksblog