© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks Preview: How, Who to Watch in Last Chance at 2nd
The New York Knicks have an outside shot at landing second place in the Eastern Conference, but that'll require a win on Sunday in Milwaukee.
The New York Knicks are two away from No. 2.
As they seek homecourt advantage for the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks have an outside at the second seed on the bracket. Any hope of fulfilling that fantasy likely hinges on, ironically enough, part two of a four-game road trip, as New York faces the current runner-ups, the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
The Knicks enter Sunday's game as losers of four of their last five, but they're hardly alone in that department: the teams ranked second through fifth on the current conference leaderboard are a combined 18-22 in their individual last 10 games. New York, perhaps burdened by a quick turnaround, dropped a 108-100 decision in Chicago on Friday night, just over 24 hours after they wrapped up their Western Conference slate with a win over Sacramento in Manhattan.
Milwaukee, which can clinch a top six playoff spot with a win and some help on Sunday, has hardly been much better, dropping five of its last six, including a 117-111 defeat to the lowly Toronto Raptors on Friday. This will be the fifth and final meeting between the two sides this season, with an extra matchup extended thanks to the winter's In-Season Tournament action. Milwaukee won three of the first four but the Knicks won the most recent back on Christmas Day with a 129-122 tally that saw Jalen Brunson score 38.
What: New York Knicks (45-32) @ Milwaukee Bucks (47-30)
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
When/Watch: Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV
Who's Favored: MIL -4
Dec 23, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) looks to drive
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Keep An Eye On: Josh Hart
Hart enters Sunday's game under a cloud of controversy, as he was questionably removed from Friday's game for a kick to the head of Javonte Green that some Knicks fans labeled incidental. Unlike Miles McBride (the odd man out upon OG Anunoby's return to the lineup, Hart is now an undeniable staple of the opening announcements moving forward now that Julius Randle's officially not coming. But the Knicks felt the pain of Hart's departure on Friday: New York was outrebounded for just the 16th time this season and lost that battle by a minus-19 margin with Hart forced to the locker room. The Knicks can't afford any more departures and it'll be interesting to see what he can do for a follow-up to one of the most disappointing individual and team efforts this season.
Buck to Watch: Damian Lillard
Dame Time is approaching ... or is it? Lillard was brought in to be the elusive missing piece in another championship run, but it has admittedly been a long time since he has played in contests of this caliber. With the Bucks'struggling at the worst possible hour, it's time for Lillard to prove why he was paid the big bucks. The Knicks have certainly felt his wrath this season, as Lillard averaged over 27 points and shooting over 47 percent from three-point range over the first four get-togethers.
They Said It
“I’m happy he’s back, happy he’s healthy. Obviously, we didn’t win so it clouds my judgment right now (on how Anunoby played), but just happy he’s healthy and out there.”-Jalen Brunson on OG Anunoby's return (h/t Stefan Bondy, New York Post)
Prediction
When will the Knicks stem this latest potential crisis? Sunday feels like a brilliant opportunity to do so. Beating the Bucks may not be the accomplishment it was back in December and it does feel like there are too many teams to leapfrog in order to get to the attainable top (Boston having long clinched the top seed). But every little bit of momentum helps this time of year and Knicks have been quite capable of grasping it.
