The Bucks come off a win Tuesday, but it came against a short-handed Sixers club. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez are still out for the Bucks and they were playing poorly even before they got sick. The Knicks beat the Bucks in Milwaukee 113-98 five days ago. The Bucks are 2-5 SU and ATS in their last seven. Take the rested Knicks to cover.

This is a tough spot for the Bucks, who have injury issues and will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Jrue Holiday has battled an ankle injury that previously forced him to miss five straight games, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sit this out. This would be his third game in the last four days. The Knicks could be thin at center with Mitchell Robinson (hip) and Nerlens Noel (knee) listed as questionable. But with a deeper overall roster and home-court advantage, take them to cover.

It can obviously be risky betting an NBA game this early on the lookahead line but also can be rewarding. I like the Knicks at this number because the Bucks will be playing the second of a back-to-back and very possibly could rest either Jrue Holiday (the more likely one) or Giannis Antetokounmpo -- and then the line would rise. Neither Khris Middleton nor Brook Lopez will be back from injury. New York won in Milwaukee 113-98 on Nov. 5.