NBA Tips & Preview – Bucks V Nuggets

The daily preview muscles into the paint with NBA tips for a midweek blockbuster between Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. 

History: Played 105: Nuggets 65 V Bucks 40

Last meeting: February 8, 2021: Bucks 125 d Nuggets 112 at Pepsi Center

Final Thoughts: Two of the NBA’s dominant individuals – and two of the league’s best offensive units – lock horns as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks host Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets.

The Bucks humbled the Nuggets 125-112 in Denver three weeks ago. Khris Middleton (29 pts, 8 reb, 12 ast, 3 stl) enjoyed an outstanding all-round game, while Antetokounmpo put up 30 points and 9 boards.

Jokic (35 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast) starred in a beaten side, with Will Barton chipping in for 24 points.

Milwaukee subsequently went on a five-game losing streak. But they have improved to 21-13 – third in the East – by winning their last five, all at home.

Giannis has averaged 35.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists during the Bucks’ current winning run, which culminated in a 105-100 defeat of the heavyweight Clippers.

The 19-15 Nuggets, who sit seventh in the West, have won seven of 11 since meeting the Bucks. They are coming off consecutive road wins over the Thunder (126-96) and Bulls (118-112).

Jokic went off for 39 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists yesterday in Chicago. Michael Porter Jr (17 pts, 15 reb) was also prominent.

The Bucks are second in the NBA for points per game (119.6); the Nuggets rank fifth (115.6). Milwaukee are 14-4 at home, while the Nuggets boast a 10-8 away record.

The Bucks are 17-17 against the line (11-7 at home). The Nuggets are just 15-19 ATS (9-9 on the road).

Denver have won two of four games on a back-to-back, but Milwaukee’s extra day’s rest could prove decisive at Fiserv Forum.

Tip: Handicap – Bucks -7.5 @ $1.90