Bucks

Here's everything you need to know to watch Friday's NBA game between the Bucks and Nuggets.

vs. The game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver, CO. Nuggets will tip off around 9 p.m. 6 p.m. - Time: 9 p.m. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV. Nuggets will air on NBA TV. [All other countries](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=NBASection) and U.K.](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=OutsideNBA) Will Antetokounmpo and Jokic be available for their respective teams? 1, Nikola Jokic was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Against the Utah Jazz's skeleton crew, the Bucks had little issue pouring it on the defense en route to a 40-25 advantage after one. The Jazz made a run of it ...

He’ll have plenty of teaching things to work on in the offseason but showed more than enough as a rookie. - “The play is under review to find the identity of the shooter” was a phrase I didn’t expect to hear in an NBA game. He hit his first stepback jumper of the night, but did get beat on a blow-by on the other end. It was used near the end of the third as the refs went to review to find out which Jazz player Portis fouled on the offensive end. - Hey, former Badger Micah Potter got some play in the fourth quarter of this game! I really tried to think of a third point to make in this game, but I really just started hoping that we would get a chance to see as full-strength as possible Milwaukee vs. His seven blocks led the game, and along with his whopping 14 boards and 17 points, he was a team-high +36 in his minutes on the court. They literally just ran up the court, had a player either cherry pick under the basket for a dish and easy bucket or drove really quickly before the Jazz got into any semblance of set defense. - In case you were wondering how the talent level of Jazz backups vs. In return, the Milwaukee Bucks sliced and diced them apart like a plastic knife through hot butter. They had 21 assists on 27 field goals in the first half alone, with penetration off the dribble, flashing to the middle, drive-and-kicks, seemingly everything working for them to blow through this Utah team. The Jazz made a run of it in the second quarter before a late scoring push by Milwaukee kept them at arm’s length, down 72-58 at half.

We go over some of the best betting options for Saturday's matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets.

However, the Bucks are 9-0-1 ATS with no rest and are 11-4-2 ATS with a rest disadvantage. The Bucks rank second in the league in scoring over the last five games, and didn’t extend their stars in Friday’s game much. The Nuggets are 22-13-1 ATS as the home team this season and are 12-5-1 ATS with a rest advantage. The Nuggets are intact on the day-to-day injury front. The Bucks have won their last three as they try to clinch the top seed in the East, while the Nuggets have triumphed in their last two contests to maintain their lead in the West. Denver is -140 on the moneyline while Milwaukee is +120.

The Milwaukee Bucks (53-20) head into their game on March 25, 2023 as a 2.5-point underdog against the Denver Nuggets (49-24).Nuggets vs. Bucks.

They are collecting 42.8 rebounds per game (19th in the league) compared to their opponents’ 40.2 per contest. [POINTSBET NBA Promo](https://www.bleachernation.com/link/pointsbet-promo-4x200/) [BETMGM NBA Promo](https://www.bleachernation.com/link/betmgm-sportsbook/) [FANDUEL NBA Promo](https://www.bleachernation.com/link/fanduel/) [CAESARS NBA Promo](https://www.bleachernation.com/link/caesars-all-states/) The over/under for the matchup is 236.5. [DRAFTKINGS NBA Promo](https://www.bleachernation.com/link/draftkings-promo-1/) [sports betting](https://www.bleachernation.com/sports-betting/), read our in-depth guide on [how to bet on basketball](https://www.bleachernation.com/how-to-bet-on-basketball/) as well as find the [best NBA betting sites](https://www.bleachernation.com/best-nba-betting-sites/). [NBA picks and predictions](https://www.bleachernation.com/nba-prop-bets/), the [top NBA Player Prop Bets](https://www.bleachernation.com/nba-predictions/), and [game previews](https://www.bleachernation.com/nba/) as well as view the latest live NBA lines on [Betsperts](https://www.betsperts.com/sports-betting/odds/nba-odds/). The Milwaukee Bucks (53-20) will look to leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.1 ppg) when they try to knock off the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets (49-24) on March 25, 2023.

With seven blocks, including three in the first 1:42 of the game, Lopez showed again why he is a leading candidate for the award.

[Talen Horton-Tucker](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/talen-horton-tucker-BTRutYr7uDmgEReU/) flew around another double ball screen from Kessler and Olynyk, Lopez stepped up and helped [Jrue Holiday](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jrue-holiday-F5hrjac6YFBzx2nI/). The Bucks had the lead they needed and they protected it with hot 3-point shooting (22 of 50) and Lopez’s continued stellar defense. To Lopez’s credit, he tried to tip the pass with both his right hand and his right foot but missed it. They ran a double ball screen at the top of the key with [Walker Kessler](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/walker-kessler-QJCTnsvWhhoDUYd0/) and [Kelly Olynyk](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kelly-olynyk-Qlzp0cFJAKpYydgC/) setting a screen for rookie guard [Ochai Agbaji](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ochai-agbaji-SeN1lDEyjIfOALJ7/). Yet, a moment later, Lopez recovers and beats him to the rim. Offenses do everything in their power to put help defenders in a position where they have to “guard two” — both the ballhandler and their defensive assignment — before forcing the help defender to make a choice. [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/giannis-antetokounmpo-FV8e23LS5qDkPy4W/) ran with Olynyk out to the 3-point line, while Lopez sank back into his typical drop coverage and waited for the play to unfold in the lane. It was the sixth time this season Lopez has blocked six or more shot attempts in a single game, the most for any player in the [Grayson Allen](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/grayson-allen-E9IF6RRaReZhPxGS/) scored on the game’s first possession, the [Utah Jazz](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/jazz/) brought the ball down the floor to start their first offensive possession. Lopez stepped up to help his teammate, but Olynyk slipped a nifty bounce pass around Lopez. Early, it sends a message that that’s going to be a hard place to score and we follow his lead defensively.” Lopez blocked seven shots in the Bucks’ 144-116 victory over the Jazz on Friday night to go along with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

When the Denver Nuggets visited Milwaukee to face the Bucks two months ago, they did so without most of their starters available.

Jokic has won the past two MVP awards, which came on the heels of Antetokounmpo winning the honor in 2019 and 2020, and is among the favorites to capture the trophy again. Milwaukee (53-20) has the best record in the NBA and is playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has surged to the top of the Eastern Conference with an impressive stretch. I think I've never played a Game 7 in my career at home. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. The Nuggets were blown out that night, but situations will be reversed when the teams meet in Denver on Saturday night.

The Milwaukee Bucks took down the Utah Jazz 144-116 on Friday, and Grayson Allen led the way with a terrific outing against his former team.

The Boston Celtics took down the Indiana Pacers on the same night, meaning they remain 2.5 games back of Milwaukee. With the win, the Bucks moved to 53-20 on the season. Of course, Allen was drafted by the Jazz in 2018 before eventually being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. After the first, the Bucks led by 15 points, largely thanks to Allen coming out and setting the tone. [injury management](https://behindthebuckpass.com/2023/03/24/khris-middleton-playing-tonight-bucks-injury-report/), the Bucks needed other players to step up in his place, and they certainly did. The concept of the “revenge game” has been around forever in the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Denver Nuggets odds and predictions are live! Check out our breakdown and analysis!

(3.0) Day to Day (Calf) Antetokounmpo (11.2) Lopez (2.5) Caldwell-Pope (1.5) Holiday (1.2) Jokic (9.9) Jokic (11.9) Holiday (7.3) Antetokounmpo (11.9) Jokic (24.8) Antetokounmpo (31.2)

On Jan. 25, Denver had played at New Orleans less than 24 hours before and chose to rest Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola ...

Jokic has won the past two MVP awards, which came on the heels of Antetokounmpo winning the honor in 2019 and 2020, and is among the favorites to capture the trophy again. Milwaukee (53-20) has the best record in the NBA and is playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has surged to the top of the Eastern Conference with an impressive stretch. I think I've never played a Game 7 in my career at home. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. The Nuggets were blown out that night, but situations will be reversed when the teams meet in Denver on Saturday night.

The regular season, generally, doesn't matter on the same scale as the playoffs. But there are certain games that, when you notice them coming up on the ...

And if they can’t have that, most Bucks and Nuggets fans agree that they’d rather see the MVP go to the other guy, because there’s a mutual appreciation there. Anyways, most Bucks and Nuggets fans can agree that they want their guy to win the MVP, and they’ll go to battle fighting for that cause. Look, the Bucks only play Denver twice per year, which means some fans only get a chance to witness Nikola Jokic twice per year, and that is simply not enough Nikola Jokic. Definitely an eyebrow-raising stretch of play, but the Nuggets are still the top of the class in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, posting a 5-5 record in the month of March due to a 4-game losing streak to a slate of...honestly, non-contending teams. The Bucks were the first team to top 50 wins and are currently the top overall record in the league this season.

First-place teams in the East and West square off on NBA primetime! Check out our NBA odds series for our Bucks-Nuggets prediction and pick.

However, the Bucks have seen a lot of success on the road and will be playing with a ton of momentum. If the Nuggets can continue to see a balanced scoring attack, they’ll have a chance to outlast the surging Bucks. They’ll be determined to prove their dominance as the best team in the NBA and take down the leaders in the West to lead the season series 2-0. The Nuggets will be happy to be back at home where they have a 30-6 record. does a ton for the Nuggets in terms of spreading the floor. [Milwaukee Bucks](/nba/milwaukee-bucks) (53-20) will travel to take on the [Denver Nuggets](/nba/denver-nuggets) (49-24).

The Bucks have ruled out Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will be without Collin Gillespie, and no one else is on their ...

What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's status for the MVP matchup vs. Nikola Jokic? Khris Middleton's status is updated as well for the Milwaukee Bucks.

It was enough of a slippage for the Nuggets to pounce and blow the game open. While not the singular moment of the game, this is the play of the game for the Bucks more for what it means going forward. In the second half, however, the Bucks appeared to lose steam. Milwaukee, on the other hand, played its third game in three different cities in the last four days and on the second night of a back-to-back. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference (combination of Milwaukee wins and Boston losses). The Bucks went nine deep in the first half, with eight players all playing at least 11 minutes and Jevon Carter checking in for just under seven. The game turned for good in the third quarter, as the Nuggets outscored the Bucks 34-19. Eight of those points came on fast breaks and 20 were in the paint where he was 10 for 10. It was also just the seventh time the two have been on the court together since Antetokounmpo ascended to an MVP level and Jokić became an all-star in 2018-19. The Nuggets improved to 50-24 in winning their third in a row. Khris Middleton scored out of the timeout to make it 76-74 Bucks, but the Nuggets went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored to end the run, but Jokić came right back and drew a fourth foul on Brook Lopez.

Such was the case of two promising players in forward, Jordan Nwora and big man Sandro Mamukelashvili. Now on different teams after the Bucks let them go a few ...

See the odds, spread, over/under and other Vegas lines for the Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

Odds To Make Playoffs Nuggets Moneyline Odds To Make Finals - The Nuggets are outscoring opponents by 3.9 points per game with a +284 scoring differential overall. [Bet on this game with BetMGM](https://affiliates.routy.app/route/50746?affId=3147&ts=5000097&pa=grayproperty1&cid=tbd) [Bet on this game with PointsBet](https://affiliates.routy.app/route/50760?affId=3147&ts=5000097&pa=grayproperty1&cid=tbd) [Bet on this game with Tipico](https://affiliates.routy.app/route/50757?affId=3147&ts=5000097&pa=grayproperty1&cid=2) Bucks Moneyline

Tonight is one of those nights; the Bucks are coming off of a convincing win in Utah but will need to be on their A-game to keep things going against the ...

[here](http://www.brewhoop.com/), and follow along below and [on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/brewhoop). Tonight is one of those nights; the Bucks are coming off of a convincing win in Utah but will need to be on their A-game to keep things going against the Western Conference’s top team: the [Denver Nuggets](https://www.denverstiffs.com). [Milwaukee Bucks](https://www.brewhoop.com)!

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 11 assists, Jamal Murray finished with 26 points and nine assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Milwaukee ...

Denver coach Michael Malone got a technical late in the first quarter, and it was to prevent Jokic from getting one. was called for a take foul on Jokic and, immediately after, a technical. Antetokounmpo scored 24 points on 11-for-14 shooting in the first half, with all but one of those field goals coming at the rim. Grayson Allen hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 103-91 with 9:54 left, but Milwaukee went scoreless for 4:10 while Denver built a 111-91 lead. Then, the Nuggets held out four starters -- Jokic, Murray, Porter and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope -- in the game in Milwaukee on Jan. The battle of the top teams in each conference -- and two strong MVP candidates -- was more competitive than the teams’ first meeting, won by the Bucks 107-99.

The Bucks are still the best team in the NBA…just a little bit less after tonight.

A Giannis-at-center lineup (partially due to 4 fouls for Brook Lopez by the start of the fourth quarter) wasn’t enough to keep Denver at bay; the lead ballooned to 20 points halfway through the final period, and with MarJon Beauchamp taking the court with Milwaukee’s reserves, this one was over. The fireworks didn’t stop after the beginning of the third quarter, after Milwaukee had built up a bit of a lead the Nuggets would come storming back and tie things up again. Things slowed down in the second quarter, but Milwaukee kept the pressure up and built up some momentum while Nikola Jokic was on the bench.

Jokić led Denver with 31 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Eventually, it led to a technical foul for [Bobby Portis](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bobby-portis-y6uKsZa2dAJoQtlM/) and the fourth personal foul for Lopez. [Aldridge: In NBA MVP race, no need to belittle Jokić, Embiid or Giannis to make your guy big](https://theathletic.com/4325163/2023/03/23/nba-mvp-race-giannis-jokic-embiid/) [NBA MVP: How do voters feel about the tone of this year’s debate? Coming off a win in Utah on Friday night, the Bucks started the game strong with Antetokounmpo leading the way. [Brook Lopez](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/brook-lopez-k7aWQKAexrC6eVg2/), but eventually Jokić drew Lopez’s third personal foul in the final minute of the first half. Jokić also has 28 triple-doubles this season. [Denver Nuggets](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/nuggets/) defeated the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/bucks/) 129-106 Saturday in a battle of potential MVPs in [Nikola Jokić](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic-bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr/) and [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/giannis-antetokounmpo-FV8e23LS5qDkPy4W/).