The New York Knicks were back home at Madison Square Garden for the first time in two weeks where they hosted the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks were coming off a 106-103 loss to the Miami Heat on the road and were on a six-game losing streak. The Knicks came off a 129-101 road win against the Hornets where All-Star Jalen Brunson had 33 points. Milwaukee’s All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup after missing the past four games with an injury. This game had high implications as the winner would advance to the NBA cup quarterfinals.
Early in the first quarter Josh Hart would score the first four points of the game for the Knicks. The Bucks couldn’t miss in the first quarter as early in the game they had an 18-10 lead. A.J Green made four threes to start. As a team they were 9-of-13 from three-point range in the first. Hart led the Knicks in scoring with 8 points. After the first quarter the Bucks led 37-33. Milwaukee would go on an 11-0 run early in the second quarter led by Giannis.
In the middle of the second quarter, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson would make his impact known offensively and defensively. Karl-Anthony Towns (‘KAT’) checked in for Robinson and the garden crowd gave him a standing ovation. Mikal Bridges made back-to-back jumpers and Kyle Kuzma made a three to end the first half. Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 16 points and the Bucks held a one point lead 62-61.
In the third quarter, KAT started the scoring for the Knicks with a three. Bucks’ point guard Ryan Rollins also responded with his own three. Jalen Brunson would have a big 3rd quarter scoring 16 points in the quarter alone. The Knicks would lead after the third quarter 92-88. In the fourth quarter the Knicks started with a 9-0 run led by Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride who made back-to-back threes and then Tyler Kolek made a three to bring MSG into a frenzy which forced the Bucks to take a timeout. Giannis would score in the paint with a dunk as the Bucks responded with a 14-2 run to make it a 104-102 lead for the Knicks.
The physicality would pick up for both teams down the stretch. Brunson had a nice crossover move against Giannis and got fouled on the three-point line that the Bucks would challenge. The challenge would be unsuccessful as Brunson made all three free throws. Kuzma made another three to bring it back to a two-point game. Deuce McBride responded with a three of his own to bring the lead back to five. Brunson would have a clutch and-one floater that would essentially be the dagger.
The Knicks held off the Bucks and won 118-109 advancing in the NBA cup. Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 37 points, Josh Hart had 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and McBride had 19 points and five threes. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, A.J Green had 18 points with six threes, Kyle Kuzma had 20 points.
The Knicks move on to the East Quarterfinals where they will face the Toronto Raptors on the road on December 9. The Bucks next play this Saturday at home against the Brooklyn Nets at 8 p.m. The Knicks next play against the Raptors at home this Sunday at 6 p.m.
