The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t out of the NBA Cup knockout stage yet, but even if they can beat the New York Knicks at MSG, they’re going to need a lot of help to get there. New York will clinch Group C with a win while Milwaukee’s only hope is a wild card. This will give victory to both And One of the following four scenarios:
It seems like a tall task to beat the Knicks by 20 or more, even if the Cavs pull one out, let alone surpass the Magic in that column. So I guess Hawks and Magic go?
Things have changed a lot for the Bucks since their impressive early-season loss to these same Knicks. After losing six games in a row and suffering their first loss in NBA Cup group play, Milwaukee will be hoping to move on from its lowest point in the season. Giannis was late after going through warmups in Miami, so rest assured he’ll be back this evening. Without him, his teammates actually had their best defensive performance of the season, holding the NBA’s second-highest scoring offense (on a per game basis, at least) to just 106 points. Ryan Rollins combined with Myles Turner to score 50, while Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green hit good shots from distance, but it was not enough to offset a valiant late comeback effort: outside of that quartet, the other five who appeared had only 26 points and were -47 overall. After a strong start to the season, Milwaukee’s offense has fallen to 21st without Giannis, according to Cleaning the Glass.
How different are the Knicks from the squad that the Bucks sent out so convincingly in late October? While he’s not exactly healthy, it’s worth noting that Karl-Anthony Towns battled an early-season quad injury and has struggled mightily — a welcome development after dominating the Bucks a few times last year. He may not be able to shoot 2/12 again tonight, but still, the self-proclaimed best shooting big man is only shooting 32.6% from deep this year. Jalen Brunson is certainly having another All-NBA caliber campaign, and new sideline boss Mike Brown’s movement offense is among the league’s top three, though they remain a more than average unit on the other end. They’re facing two easy opponents in Brooklyn and Charlotte, the latter of which actually has a Now Losing consecutive games to Milwaukee. Starting Josh Hart gives the Knicks a lineup the same size as the Bucks, and their two bench bigs—Mitchell Robinson and Guerschon Yabusele—have had poor offensive seasons so far. Maybe this isn’t a terrible matchup for the much smaller Bucks starters?
No changes on the Bucks’ injury report from Day 2: Giannis remains questionable as he returns from a left groin strain, while Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr. are out. KPJ practiced with Hurd on Wednesday, so he seems close.
New York will be without the services of OG Anunoby—he has missed his last five contests due to a strained hamstring. If Giannis plays, at least he won’t have to deal with one of the league’s best wing defenders. Bench sharpshooter Landry Chamet will also sit Saturday after spraining his shoulder, but the Knicks are fully healthy.
Although he’s not alone among the Bucks’ perimeter players, Ryan Rollins hasn’t been as impressive defensively lately, perhaps due in part to his increased workload on offense. If Giannis doesn’t go, the onus will be on him again, but can he do a reliable job on Brunson — something neither he nor any of the Bucks have done in two years — together? As we well know, Brunson treats the Bucks every time he sees them. Offensively, Rylo had an impressive second half at Miami after a slow start on Wednesday and a poor game on Monday; Last time too he did not have to struggle in the New York backcourt. The Bucks will need a big two-way night from him to have any chance.
Prime Video at 6:30pm CST.
<a href=