The Knicks kept up with the Bucks in the first half, but Milwaukee played Grinch in the second to crush the Christmas spirit at Madison Square Garden with a 109-95 victory. >> Box score

Things to know about Tuesday's game

1) There was no groin-punching this Christmas, as Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't see his beef with Mario Hezonja extend to Tuesday's game because the latter didn't play. The quarreling between the two began when Hezonja stepped over Antetokounmpo after throwing down a dunk during the Knicks' OT win over the Bucks on Dec. 1. It evolved into some threats of hits below the belt and even some trash talking from the Bucks team website. But David Fizdale decided against a potential Round Two.

2) Kevin Knox continues to give the Knicks hope for the future. The rookie, who has struggled during the second half of games this season, scored 10 of his team-high 21 points in the latter half.

3) Allonzo Trier (hamstring) and Trey Burke both returned to the court for the Knicks. The rookie Trier, who had missed the last seven games with the injury, scored eight points with two rebounds in 17:47 of playing time.

Burke tallied two points, two assists and four boards in 14:29 after taking a two-game break following an unsuccessful comeback from a knee injury.

4) Frank Ntilikina didn't come off the bench for the Knicks. The guard had played in the previous eight games after being benched for three games earlier this month.

"Frank had been struggling," Fizdale said after Tuesday's game, per ESPN's Ian Begley.

5) Tim Hardaway Jr. matched Antetokounmpo with nine rebounds in the first half, but it didn't take long for the Greek Freak to dominate the score sheet. Antetokounmpo was predictably superb in this one, finishing with a game-high 30 points. He added 15 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.

6) Noah Vonleh put up his second straight double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

7) Christmas hasn't been kind to the Knicks in recent years. With Tuesday's loss, the Knicks have now dropped the last six games they've played on Dec. 25. They haven't won on Christmas since 2011 against the Celtics (and got a break by not playing on Christmas in 2015).

8) The Knicks are losers of their last five games and 10 of their last 12 going back to their OT win over Milwaukee, which was also the last time they won at the Garden.

"We gotta get to work" - David Fizdale on his young Knicks after losing to the Bucks on Christmas pic.twitter.com/xNLUr9IHVn
- SNY (@SNYtv) December 26, 2018

Can't stop, won't stop #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/cmhUuDupHV
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 25, 2018

Noah Vonleh met Giannis at the rim 🚫 pic.twitter.com/67Ng4emfQ7
- ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2018

A 3-point 🎁 for @KevKnox pic.twitter.com/yJ0BK5FRK2
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 25, 2018

What's next:

The Knicks are seeing plenty of the Bucks this week as they head to Milwaukee for another meeting with the Greek Freak on Thursday at 8 p.m.

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