Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: April 7 at New York Knicks

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 09: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 09: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 05: (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 05: (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Major key for Milwaukee – Eyes on the prize

After an inexplicable slip-up against the Brooklyn Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks have been gifted another opportunity to climb the playoff standings and can’t afford a similar performance again.

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday, the New York Knicks boosted Milwaukee’s pursuit of sixth place on Friday night with a 24-point victory over the Miami Heat, while also sending a warning sign to the visiting Bucks about just what they’re capable of.

As the Bucks take to the court in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, they should have no lack of motivation. The hope for Joe Prunty and his staff will be for that desire to lead to increased focus and a more purposeful performance.

Translating into more tangible elements of the game itself, that will mean the Bucks will need much improved offensive efforts from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker than they delivered on Thursday against the Nets.

The Bucks will also have to focus on boxing out and fighting for every rebound, while how they defend the three-point line could prove as decisive as ever.

With just three games remaining and a real opportunity to move away from eighth place, the Bucks simply must deliver on Saturday night.