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

The first few weeks of the NBA season have been unpredictable and surprising for Eastern Conference teams. The Cavaliers, not the Celtics, are in first place with a spotless 9-0 record. The Pacers and Nets are currently third and fourth with a 4-4 record, the Sixers are last in the conference at 1-6, and the two teams playing tonight, the Knicks and Bucks, are off to disappointing starts to their seasons. 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 ineffective as he has since becoming a Knick. Mikal Bridges, for whom the Knicks gave up a treasure trove of first-round picks, has been inconsistent on both ends 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. Outside of McBride, the bench has been close to non-existent. Tom Thibodeau has faced a lot of criticism for his rotations, minute distribution and offensive schemes.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, is getting excellent production from its stars. Giannis Antetokounmpo is average 31 PPG, 12.9 RPG and 5.7 APG while Damian Lillard is average 28.4 PPG and 6.8 APG. However, neither has yet learned to maximize the other’s strengths, and Antetokounmpo appears reluctant to engage heavily in screening for Lillard. The rest of the team has only one player averaging more than 10 PPG, the defense has been subpar, and there have 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’d rather not be and would greatly benefit from a win tonight.

Projected starters

The point guard battle between Damian Lillard and Brunson should be fun to watch. After a poor year by his standards last season, Lillard is off to a strong start. If the Knicks want to slow him down, they’ll need to focus on limiting his three-point shooting; so far he is takes 10 three-pointers per game and is shooting 38.8% from beyond the arc. Both figures have increased from the 8.5 attempts per game and the 35.4% three-point percentage he posted last season.

Gary Trent Jr. starting alongside Lillard. Known as a streaky shooter in the past, he currently struggles, shooting abysmal 29.5% from the field and 23.1% from three. New York cannot allow him to find his rhythm as it would make their already mediocre offense much more difficult to contain.

Starting at small forward is offseason acquisition Taurean Prince. The veteran forward is average just 7.9 PPG, but has been highly effective with his limited shots, shooting 55.8% from the field and 55.6% from three. However, that last number is obviously unsustainable, so the Knicks could benefit from a negative regression tonight.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the latest star to endure the media’s “potential trade request treatment,” is having another incredible season. The former MVP has been so good for so long that he’s almost become underrated and underrated. Fans and analysts often gloss over his stats, which has led to his game being taken for granted. With how well he’s performing—and how Karl-Anthony Towns excels for the Knicks—this could be an exciting back-and-forth matchup.

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

Damage report

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

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

Forecast

The eye test and results haven’t always been good so far, but the Knicks still rank fourth in the league in offensive rating, which has carried what has been a subpar defense. This has led to them maintaining a top 10 net rating for the season. Some of this is backed up by big wins against the Pacers and Pistons, but it still shows they’ve had some bright moments and done some things well. Statistically and record-wise, New York should have the advantage tonight. They have a significantly better offense and are more balanced on that end of the floor. Defensively, they will be going up against a Bucks team that has struggled just as much as the Knicks. However, similar things could have been – and were – said in their last two games, both of which New York ended up losing in disappointing fashion.

Milwaukee has had a rough start to the season, but they are coming off a win last night, and the combination of Antetokounmpo and Lillard is still among the league’s best, capable of beating anyone on any given night.

With that 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 the Bucks’ two stars will have strong games while their supporting cast and defense struggle. On the Knicks’ side, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are expected to combine for around 30 points, with the former playing elite defense and the latter showing inconsistent but mostly good defensive play. Hart will have a few mistakes but will contribute on the boards. And Towns, who has been the Knicks’ best player so far, will be a force on the boards while providing efficient scoring.

But Brunson has struggled mightily. In the Knicks’ victories, he is composed and makes good decisions for himself and his teammates. In the losses, he looks off balance, forces too many plays, plays selfishly and struggles to find his shot. If New York is going to secure a much-needed win to get back to .500, it will depend on him. And whether it’s just me trying to talk it into existence or not, I believe he will come through. The Knicks win a close shootout, 120-115.

Game details

WHO: New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks

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

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

Clock: MSG network

Follow: @ptknicksblog