The New York Knicks (7-16) head back home Saturday to Madison Square Garden after a three-game road trip to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (15-6). The game has a 5 PM ET start. New York has a 3-6 record at home on the season, and Milwaukee is 4-4 on the road.
After winning three straight, the Knicks have now lost their last two outings. On Wednesday, they were handily defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers 117-91.
According to ESPN, Joel Embiid finished with his NBA-best 21st double-double as he ended with 26 points and 14 rebounds (as well as seven assists) in Philadelphia’s easy victory. Mario Hezonja and Enes Kanter led New York with 17 points apiece.
The Bucks have rotated a win with a loss in their last five games. On Wednesday, they defeated the Chicago Bulls by the score of 116-113. With the game tied, Khris Middleton connected on a three with five seconds left to give Milwaukee their winning margin. Giannis Antetokounmpo nearly had a triple-double as he finished with 36 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Team injuries
Milwaukee: Out - John Henson (wrist)
New York: Out - Kristaps Porzingis (knee), Lance Thomas (knee), Questionable - Mitchell Robinson (heel), Probable - Courtney Lee (neck)
Projected starters
Milwaukee: PG - Eric Bledsoe, SG - Malcolm Brogdon, SF - Khris Middleton, PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo, C - Brook Lopez
New York: PG - Emmanuel Mudiay, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Mario Hezonja, PF - Noah Vonleh, C - Enes Kanter
Statistical leaders
Milwaukee: Scoring - Giannis Antetokounmpo 27.3, Rebounding - Giannis Antetokounmpo 12.9, Assists - Giannis Antetokounmpo 6.0
New York: Scoring - Tim Hardaway Jr. 22.2, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 11.8, Assists - Trey Burke 3.2
What to know prior to Saturday's game
Knicks’ leading scorer Tim Hardaway Jr.
is going through a massive shooting slump over the last four games. He has shot just 14-57 (24.6 percent) from the field and 6-27 (22.2 percent) from three-point territory.
Milwaukee is the league’s highest scoring team at 120.8 points per game. They have four players (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and Eric Bledsoe) that all average at least 15 points a contest.
The teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to dishing the ball. Milwaukee ranks second in the league with 27.3 assists per game, and the Knicks are dead-last at 18.6.
History in the regular season between the Bucks and Knicks
According to Land of Basketball, the Bucks and Knicks have faced off in the regular season 211 times with Milwaukee holding a 110-101 edge in the win column.
The Bucks have defeated New York six straight times after their 124-113 victory over them on October 22. They also won three straight and six of their last seven times visiting Madison Square Garden.