New York Knicks Hold Playoff Destiny in Own Hands with Win over Milwaukee Bucks

The New York Knicks now have their NBA playoff destiny in their own hands after a huge win over the Milwaukee Bucks, 111-107.

It wasn't pretty, but the Knicks now find themselves two games up on the Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot thanks to Carmelo Anthony's 32 points and 10 rebounds.

They also remain just one game back of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The win evens the season series between New York and Milwaukee and that means the Knicks won't lose out on the tiebreaker if both finish with the same record.

That being said, if the two teams do tie, it comes down to conference record, which the Knicks (23-18) have a game-and-a-half advantage over the Bucks (21-19) at this moment.

If New York can secure that tiebreaker, Milwaukee will need a three-game swing in order to take the eighth seed, so clearly the deck is stacked in the Knicks' favor.

Of the eight remaining games on the Knicks schedule, four are against future playoff teams: Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, at Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers.

The other four are against four of the five worst teams in the Eastern Conference: Washington Wizards, at New Jersey Nets, at Cleveland Cavaliers, at Charlotte Bobcats.

For the Bucks, they have four tough Eastern Conference games left: Indiana Pacers twice (at once), Philadelphia 76ers, at Boston Celtics.

Their weakest four Eastern Conference opponents are: at Detroit Pistons, at Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors.

Having an extra game against a future playoff team from the Eastern Conference, the Bucks might have a tougher time finishing with a superior conference record and that would force them to finish one game up on the Knicks for the eighth seed.

It's going to be a tough road ahead for Milwaukee and it'll take a monumental collapse by New York or an incredible run by the Bucks for the Knicks to miss the playoffs.

Only eight games separate coach Mike Woodson and his team from the NBA playoffs.

If they handle their business as expected and beat the teams they should beat, the Knicks should be playing in the NBA's second season in late April.