Bucks at Knicks
THE STORY: Despite their red-hot play since Mike Woodson took over as coach, the New York Knicks have been unable to shake free of the team trailing them for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That sets up a critical showdown when the Knicks host the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. New York is 6-1 under Woodson and leads Milwaukee by 1 1/2 games, but the Bucks have won both meetings this season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Bucks), MSG (Knicks)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (22-26): Milwaukee had been on a 7-1 roll until it was steamrolled at home by Indiana 125-104 on Saturday. Although the Bucks have averaged a shade under 110 points during that stretch, Monta Ellis has struggled. The high-scoring guard averaged 21.9 points with Golden State, but that total has dipped eight points in the five games with Milwaukee. Backcourt made Brandon Jennings is averaging 14.2 points since the Ellis trade after scoring more than 30 points three times in the first six games in March.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (24-25): New York has annihilated teams at Madison Garden since Woodson took over, winning its four games by an average of 24.5 points. Woodson voiced concerns about the health of forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who was forced to exit Saturday's rout of the Detroit Pistons because of tightness in his lower back. Stoudemire said he left the game as a precautionary measure and expects to play Monday. He has been the Knicks' most effective player, averaging 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds over the past four games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Milwaukee has won four consecutive meetings and eight of the last nine against New York.
2. Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony has failed to score more than 17 points in the past seven games. His scoring average is down to a career-low 20.0.
3. New York is seeking its fifth straight home win and the Bucks are eyeing their sixth consecutive road victory.