By Avi Wizwer
The New York Knicks have had a mediocre season thus far, with a record of 12 wins and seven losses as they currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are a wild card for the Play-In Tournament with a record of 3-1. The In-Season Tournament has been implemented this year to create a more competitive play.
The NBA In-Season Tournament gives teams a chance to compete for an NBA Cup and bragging rights for the rest of the league. Another added bonus to winning is that there will be a big payout for the players on the team. The champions will be granted a payout of $500,000 for each player and coach on the team. For the teams that aren’t fortunate enough to win, there are some incentives to the quarterfinal teams as they are guaranteed at least $50,000, and semifinalists $100,000 each.
Looking ahead for the New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks, there will be a rematch of a Nov. 3 matchup between the two teams, with the Bucks taking the first matchup win 110-105. The key players that viewers should watch out for are Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard. In the first matchup between the teams, Brunson exploded with 45 points, and Randle has been averaging 23-10-5 since his rough start to the season. The offensive firepower of the Knicks will be the difference maker in how successful they will be in their matchup against the Bucks.
As for the Bucks, the key player New York will have to contain is Antetokounmpo, averaging 25.5 points and shooting 61% from the field in the group stage. Additionally, Lillard is a star-studded point guard for the Bucks, an offensive juggernaut who has been averaging 30 points per game, shooting 52% from the field, 48% from the three-point line, and 97% from the free throw line.
As this will be a great matchup to watch and a fair one, to say the least, it is yet to be seen that the New York Knicks will prevail and move past the 2021 champs, or if the Bucks will show resilience and hold off the hungry Knicks team.