An NBA Game Day Preview between the Milwaukee Bucks Vs Denver Nuggets – StatementGames alternative Fantasy Basketball, play for FREE and WIN CASH Rewards.
When: 9:30 PM EST, February 8, 2021
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: NBATV
Point Spread: Nuggets +3.5
OVER/UNDER Game Total: 229.5
Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 15-8
Road Record: 6-6
ATS: 12-11
Denver Nuggets
Record: 12-10
Home Record: 5-5
ATS: 10-12
Milwaukee Bucks Vs Denver Nuggets Game Day Preview
Giannis Antetokounmpo arrives in Denver with the Milwaukee Bucks and carries with him two MVP awards.
Nikola Jokic is making a case for beating out Giannis for the NBA MVP, and can stamp his resume when the Nuggets host Milwaukee tonight.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have a fairly healthy lineup and have won four straight after posting back-to-back victories at Cleveland.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads his team in scoring, rebounds and assists, and has a strong supporting cast as well. The next step for him is reaching the NBA Finals and winning a title, and Monday can serve as a measuring stick.
Milwaukee is 9-40 all-time in games played in Denver and lost both matchups last season, the second coming just before the pandemic put the NBA on a pause last March.
“I’m just pleased with the way the guys executed and played,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said after Saturday’s win. “Back-to-back, same team, those are never easy.”
Monday’s matchup is the start of a four-game Western Conference road trip for Milwaukee, which is 3-4 this season against the West.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets start a four-game homestand, with the first two against Eastern Conference opponents.
Nikola Jokic is the teams star. He has played at an elite level for a few years but has reached another tier with his performances this season. The Denver center is coming off a career-high 50-point game in a loss at Sacramento on Saturday night, which came six days after he tied his previous career best of 47.
Even with those performances the Nuggets has dropped two straight and would like to avoid a third against one of the title contenders. Denver is playing short-handed in the backcourt, which is one reason Jokic carried the offense on Saturday.
“More impressive than the 50 points, the 12 assists and the eight rebounds was his approach, his mindset, his leadership,” Denver coach Michael Malone said after Saturday’s loss. “He knew we were undermanned. He understood how important this game was. Nikola goes out and does his job. He doesn’t care. We lost the game, that’s all he’s going to care about.”
The Nuggets were without guards Gary Harris (adductor strain), Jamal Murray (left knee), P.J. Dozier (hamstring) and Facundo Campazzo (right knee) in Sacramento, which meant more playing time for rookies Markus Howard and RJ Hampton. The two might see extended time Monday if Murray stays sidelined.
Murray, Harris and Campazzo are considered day-to-day. If they cannot play, Hampton has shown he can handle the increased time, especially on the defense end.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been considered like a defensive specialist or anything,” Hampton said Saturday. “I’ve always been capable of it. Feel like there’s two positions in basketball — on the court and off the court. If coach needs me to play defense, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Bucks Vs Nuggets Facts
- Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 MIL Vs Nuggets meetings in Denver.
Milwaukee Bucks Vs Denver Nuggets Alternative Fantasy Basketball-Statement Games Picks
Bucks 116 Nuggets 114
- 10 PT Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 30.5 PTS
- 9 PT Pick: Nikola Jokic OVER 27.5 PTS
- 8 PT Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 13.5 Rebounds
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