The New York Knicks have been battling injuries and adversity all season long and that proved no different when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 122-109 on Sunday night on the road. The Knicks this season have a 46-32 record and they are tied with the Orlando Magic for the three seed in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams are just one game back of the Bucks for the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee has a 47-31 record and they have lost the last four games. In this matchup for the Knicks against the Bucks, Jalen Brunson scored 43 points and shot 50% from the field. He dominated against Milwaukee in all five games this season despite the Knicks not winning the season series in this one. Brunson is one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA and carry them to the NBA Finals this season.
Donte DiVincenzo was the second-leading scorer in this matchup for the Knicks with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. Isaiah Hartenstein was the other starter for New York who scored in double digits with 18 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Bojan Bogdanovic also scored in double figures off the bench for the New York Knicks with 15 points. They have been playing hard all season long for head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The New York Knicks Have Other Pieces On the Roster That Make Them NBA Title Contenders and the Milwaukee Bucks Feel Vulnerable At the Moment
One of the reasons why the Knicks feel like a better pick in the Eastern Conference right now than the Bucks is because New York feels like a team that is on a mission. Meanwhile, Milwaukee feels vulnerable and could be another first-round exit this season.
It is a shame that Julius Randle is out for the season with a shoulder injury. If he were healthy for the Knicks, they would be even more dangerous. Josh Hart is a player that will always play hard and do all of the dirty work for New York in many different ways.
Acquiring OG Anuonby from the Toronto Raptors for R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley was one of the best moves that the Knicks front office made in a trade this season. New York got so much better defensively on the wing and he can also score the basketball. Speaking of defense, it is huge that the Knicks have Mitchell Robinson back as a rim protector off the bench after missing most of the season with an injury.
The Boston Celtics will be the number one seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The biggest question is going to be who will face them in the Eastern Conference Finals. If the New York Knicks get the three seed or the two seed in the postseason, they will be the ones who have the best shot to beat Boston and get to the NBA Finals and not the Milwaukee Bucks.