The Milwaukee Bucks enter their March 28, 2025 matchup against the New York Knicks with a 39-30 record, a standing that currently places them in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture but far from the dominant regular season form fans had come to expect during previous campaigns, as inconsistency and defensive lapses have plagued what is still a star-powered roster. Led by two of the league’s premier talents in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks on paper have one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the NBA, with Giannis averaging 30.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while continuing to dominate in the paint, draw double teams, and anchor the team’s transition attack. Lillard, acquired to bolster Milwaukee’s half-court offense and late-game execution, has added 25.5 points and 5.8 assists per game with his deep shooting and playmaking, though his efficiency has dipped slightly during recent weeks as the team’s offensive rhythm has sputtered. Despite those strong individual numbers, Milwaukee has struggled to establish consistent defensive pressure, allowing opponents to shoot over 47% from the field and giving up 114 points per game over their last ten contests, a stretch in which they’ve gone just 3-7 and suffered multiple losses to teams below .500. Their inability to close out on shooters and defend the perimeter has been a recurring issue, compounded by lapses in communication during pick-and-roll coverage and an underwhelming performance from the second unit. Malik Beasley and Brook Lopez continue to provide solid minutes, with Lopez contributing rim protection and three-point spacing, but the bench overall has lacked scoring punch and defensive stability.

Milwaukee’s home-court advantage, typically one of the most formidable in the league, has not been as dominant this season, as they’ve gone 16-20 against the spread at Fiserv Forum, indicating a tendency to underperform relative to expectations when favored. As they host the Knicks, who have already beaten them twice this season—including once on their own court—the Bucks face the challenge of rediscovering their identity on both ends of the floor, particularly by reestablishing defensive discipline and ball movement. Milwaukee’s success will hinge on getting more production from their role players, limiting turnovers, and finding a way to slow down Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been a major factor in New York’s recent wins. The absence of key defenders like Jae Crowder and Khris Middleton at various points has also contributed to the team’s inability to contain opposing wings, and any lingering absences or limited minutes could prove costly again. The Bucks are under pressure to build momentum heading into the playoffs and secure a higher seed, and a win over New York would be a much-needed statement to reassert themselves among the East’s elite. Head coach Doc Rivers will look to tighten rotations, get back to defensive fundamentals, and lean heavily on his stars to guide the team out of their recent slide, knowing full well that if they cannot raise their level of execution, the postseason could be shorter than anticipated.