Free Pick: New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks

The inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament starts Friday for a few teams. All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on won-loss records and it is important to note that every game counts toward regular season win-loss records so there is no added or lessened motivation.

Bucks bounce back time. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for just 31 points and their minutes were limited because of the game progression as was the entire starting five.

New York is 2-3 following a home and home split with Cleveland and the offense has gotten off to a slow start. The Knicks have scored the fewest amount of points in the NBA with 103.0 ppg and are also dead last in shooting at 40 percent. New York is just at 69.3 percent from the free throw line which is third worst in the league after being the eighth worst team from the stripe lat season.

The Knicks catch Milwaukee at the wrong time. Here, we play against road underdogs after a loss by six points or less going up against an opponent after a loss by 15 points or more. This situation is 34-11 ATS (75.6 percent) over the last five seasons. Play the Milwaukee Bucks - 6.5