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Game day preview and injury report: Milwaukee Bucks look to bounce back, visit streaking New York Knicks
The Milwaukee Bucks (25-14) will try to bounce back from a stinging defeat against the Charlotte Hornets last time out when they take on the streaking New York Knicks (22-18) at Madison Square Garden Monday night.
Game preview
It will be the first contest of a four-game road trip for the Bucks, who were blown out at home by the lowly Charlotte Hornets, 109-138, on Friday night.
A faulty start was to blame in that shocking loss, as the Bucks allowed the Hornets to score a franchise-record 51 points in the first quarter.
The Bucks couldn't recover from a 28-51 deficit at the end of the first period and saw their two-game win streak come to an end.
It was the fifth time this season that the Bucks gave up 130 points. The 29-point loss also marked the fourth time the Bucks lost by at least 20 points this season.
"Defensively, we have not been able to get stops in those games," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday night. "We dug ourselves a big hole in those games. We haven't matched what it takes to be competitive in an NBA game on multiple occasions now and it's concerning."
Milwaukee, which is 9-9 on the road so far, can not afford to give the same effort against a New York team that has won its last four games.
The Bucks are looking to sweep their three-game regular season series with the Knicks. They beat New York in their first meeting on October 29th, 119-108, and followed it up with a 109-103 triumph in their second showdown on December 1st.
A gigantic collision between two big men will highlight the match, with Giannis Antetokounmpo going up against Julius Randle. The two are the leading scorers and rebounders for their respective teams.
Antetokounmpo is good for 32.0 points and 11.8 rebounds a game, while Randle brings in 24.4 points and 10.0 boards per outing for the Knicks, as the battle at the power forward position could prove to be key tonight.
Injury report
Khris Middleton (knee) and Serge Ibaka (personal matter) will be out for the Bucks. Middleton will be missing his 11th straight game.
RJ Barret (finger) is listed as doubtful for the Knicks.
