Milwaukee Bucks basketball continues tonight as the good guys take on the New York Knicks to open a three-game home stand at Fiserv Forum. After losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an ultra-competitive
contest on Sunday, the 2-1 Bucks square up against another Eastern Conference favourite—the now Mike Brown-led Knicks—who also sit at 2-1 following a surprising eight-point loss to the Miami Heat.
Where We’re At
The Bucks have ticked a lot of boxes to start the season. Dispatching the Wizards to open was an emotional release, exhibiting what can happen when all cylinders are firing, while pulling it out against the Raptors showed the team can win in the mud (AKA when the long ball isn’t dropping at elite volume). Yet, in many ways, it’s the loss to the Cavaliers that’s perhaps most encouraging. Down two of arguably their three best shot creators, the Bucks refused to concede defeat and put a legitimate scare into last season’s Eastern Conference one-seed when they could have easily waved the white flag. Now they just need to learn to capitalise on some of those momentum-shifting plays (like finding Giannis on the two-on-one fast break instead of pulling a three). Regardless—and this may be premature—this Bucks team seems to have grit, a stick-with-it-ness, which shouldn’t be surprising considering all the offseason scrutiny and hoopla they’ve already dealt with, especially around a certain franchise icon. On that note, Giannis continues to astound—40, 14, and nine on 70% against last year’s DPOY is just absurd—while Ryan Rollins (12.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 4.3 APG, along with 3.0 stocks per) has clearly found another level, embracing the opportunity for more playing time and responsibility. When Myles Turner and Bobby Portis start hitting at their standard rates—and the injury bug is a bit kinder—this could get really fun, fast.
Like the Bucks, the Knicks also won their first two matchups—both at home—beating the Cavaliers by eight points thanks to a 32–24 fourth quarter, and then followed that up with a 105–95 win against the Boston Celtics. On Sunday in Miami, however, a 23-6 second-half Heat run was too much for them to overcome. Dual All-NBA second-teamer Jalen Brunson has started the season on a heater, averaging 30.3 PPG and 5.7 APG so far, with running mate Karl-Anthony Towns putting up 20.0 PPG and 14.0 RPG. In stark contrast to the Tom Thibodeau-led Knicks, new head coach Mike Brown has opted to adjust his team’s starting lineup on a game-by-game basis, choosing the fifth starter according to opponent. So far, Miles McBride and sophomore Ariel Hukporti have been the beneficiaries, but don’t be surprised to see Josh Hart—no longer on a minutes restriction—back with the starters more often than not.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Cole Anthony (non-Covid illness) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle) are both questionable to play, while Kevin Porter Jr. remains out with the ankle injury he suffered in the season opener.
Miles McBride (personal) missed the Knicks’ game against Miami and remains questionable, as are Towns (who’s been battling a quad injury) and Guerschon Yabusele (knee sprain). Mitchell Robinson, yet to play this season due to left ankle injury management, remains out.
Player To Watch
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a problem for the Bucks in recent times. Across three games last year—all Knicks’ wins—he averaged 25.3 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, and 1.0 SPG on .538/.438/.867 splits, finishing +20.3 in plus/minus. Self-proclaimed “the greatest shooting big man of all time” (via Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic), Towns’ ability to stretch the floor proved particularly troubling against Milwaukee’s drop coverage, with Brook Lopez’s limited mobility rendering him either unable to contest Towns’ quick trigger—he averaged 2.3 made three-pointers per game—or do so and get blown by on drives or rolls to the rim. Of course, the Bucks’ porous point-of-attack defence didn’t help here either: notably, Damian Lillard had the worst plus/minus against the Knicks at –26.0, while Ryan Rollins posted the best at +7.5.
All of this considered, it will be interesting to see what sort of impact new starting centre Myles Turner has against Towns. In their Eastern Conference Finals match-up last year, Towns’ numbers were eerily similar to those he posted against the Bucks, averaging 24.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG; however, his three-point shooting wasn’t as profound—1.8 makes per game on 36.7%. This drop may seem minor, but the residual effects—less need for defensive help, tighter spacing, fewer open looks for others—could be enough to sway things in the Bucks’ favour, especially considering the change of personnel at the point of attack. As noted, Towns is battling a lingering quad injury, and while this hasn’t adversely impacted his output, the Bucks should look to attack him at every opportunity.
How To Watch
NBC and Peacock at 7:00 p.m. CDT.
