Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview
The Denver Nuggets, boasting a record of 30 wins and 15 losses, currently rank third in the Western Conference and are set to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks, who hold an 18-25 record and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. This matchup is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 p.m. EST in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are favored by 6.5 points and the over/under is fixed at 221.5 points.
Team Performance
Denver is on a roll, seeking to extend its impressive five-game winning streak away from home. The Nuggets have performed well on the road this season, with an 18-7 away game record. They rank seventh in the Western Conference with a solid defensive rebounding average of 32.8, largely credited to the skills of star center Nikola Jokic, who not only leads in rebounds with 9.1 per game but has also been a crucial player for the team.
Conversely, Milwaukee has struggled slightly in home games, holding a 9-11 record. The Bucks currently rank ninth in the East, averaging 26.3 assists per game, driven by Ryan Rollins, whose average stands at 5.5 assists. On the offensive end, the Bucks score an average of 112.2 points per game, which lags behind the Nuggets, who put up 121.1 points on average. Interestingly, the Nuggets allow 116.5 points per game, meaning they score 5.3 points more than they concede, while the Bucks allow 115.8 points to their opponents.
Previous Matchup
This will be the second encounter this season between these two teams, with the Nuggets winning their previous matchup 108-104 back on January 12th, where Tim Hardaway Jr. led Denver with 25 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo topped Milwaukee’s scoreboard with 31 points.
Player Highlights
In terms of player performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been exceptional, averaging 28.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists for Milwaukee, while AJ Green has made a notable impact with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game over the last ten contests. For Denver, Peyton Watson has emerged as a key player, averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds, alongside Jamal Murray, who contributes 20.0 points and shoots an impressive 54.1% over the past ten games.
Recent Form and Injuries
Looking at their recent form, the Bucks have recorded a 4-6 record in their last ten games while averaging 109.3 points, and they face stiff competition, with opponents averaging 115.2 points per game against them. In contrast, the Nuggets have found success with a 7-3 record in their last ten outings, averaging slightly more at 109.6 points, while their opponents score an average of 111.0 points.
In terms of injuries, the Bucks will potentially miss Myles Turner and Kevin Porter Jr. due to an ankle and oblique injuries respectively, alongside Taurean Prince who is absent due to a neck issue. On the Nuggets side, key players Cameron Johnson, Tamar Bates, Nikola Jokic, and Christian Braun are all sidelined with various injuries as well.
Conclusion
As both teams prepare for this critical game, the Nuggets will aim to capitalize on their current momentum while the Bucks will be looking to pour work into improving their standings.
This news report integrates information from Data Skrive and Sportradar as provided by The Associated Press.
