The Milwaukee Bucks have faced a rocky start to the NBA season, as their defensive prowess has taken a hit following the trade of Jrue Holiday. The shock trade that saw Holiday being sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Damian Lillard was expected to bolster the Bucks' offense, pairing Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the absence of Holiday has resulted in a significant defensive downgrade for Milwaukee.

Adding to their challenges, the Bucks also bid farewell to their long-time head coach, Mike Budenholzer, known for his skill in creating nuanced defensive schemes. With a new coach at the helm and some roster changes, the Bucks are experiencing early-season difficulties.

Through their first four games, the Bucks have posted a net rating of -6.6. However, it's important to note that two blowout losses have contributed to the somewhat misleading figure. What is more concerning is the fact that the Bucks have allowed a league-worst effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 60.9%. In comparison, even without Holiday on the floor last season, the Bucks only allowed an eFG% of 52.5%. The defensive impact of losing Holiday and acquiring Lillard is significant, but some variance in shooting percentages by opponents has also played a part. It is unlikely that opponents will continue shooting 42% from beyond the arc and 80% at the rim against the Bucks.

Furthermore, it seems the Bucks are struggling to defend against three-point shots, allowing 38% of their opponents' shots to come from beyond the arc. This is an area of concern for Milwaukee, as they currently lack the necessary backcourt personnel to effectively defend against the three-pointer.

On the other side of the court, the New York Knicks have also faced their fair share of offensive challenges. With an offensive rating of just 103.8, the Knicks rank 27th in the league. Their effective field goal percentage of 47.2% is the worst in the NBA. However, there is hope for improvement as their expected eFG% is slightly better relative to the league average.

Julius Randle, the Knicks' primary scoring option, has struggled to find his shooting touch, averaging only 13.2 points per game and scoring a meager 0.742 points per shot attempt. Nonetheless, Randle has made significant contributions in other areas, averaging double-digit rebounds and dishing out 5.2 assists per game. With a rebounding and assists line set at 12.5, Randle has proven his ability to surpass this mark in previous matchups against the Bucks last season.

One advantage the Knicks may have in this matchup is their ability to generate scoring opportunities from their backcourt. With a weakened perimeter defense, the Bucks may struggle to contain the Knicks' guards, potentially leading to a breakout performance from the New York backcourt.

As the Bucks prepare to face the Knicks, both teams will be looking to address their respective struggles and secure a victory. The game promises to be an intriguing battle between the Bucks' offensive firepower and the Knicks' pursuit of improvement on the offensive end.

Overall, the defensive woes faced by the Milwaukee Bucks and the offensive challenges experienced by the New York Knicks set the stage for an intense matchup, with both teams aiming to find their footing and get back on track.