Denver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds, (1/25/23)

The Denver Nuggets visit the Milwaukee Bucks in a big matchup. The Nuggets are coming off a close win against the Pelicans on the road, while the Bucks are coming off a blowout win against the Pistons on the road. This should be an interesting matchup because these are two of the best teams in the NBA. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

The Milwaukee Bucks are a 10-point home favorite against the Denver Nuggets and are at -520 on the money line. There’s no over/under listed just yet, but it should be high. Milwaukee being this much of a favorite doesn’t make much sense besides the fact they are more healthy than Denver. The over/under should be high when it gets listed because both of these teams are very good on offense. This spread might move before tip-off because it’s so big

Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

The pick: Denver Nuggets +10

The Denver Nuggets are limping a little into this game. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are both questionable to play in this game, but it seems like they are leaning towards playing.

Jokic is playing at an MVP-caliber level yet again and leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game for the season. Jamal Murray has been a great Robin to Jokic’s Batman in his first full season back from injury. He’s the second-leading scorer for the Nuggets too. Aaron Gordon has also been a big get down low for Denver, and leads the team in blocks per game this season too. Look for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to step up more too with Michael Porter Jr. still out.

As a team, the Nuggets excel more on offense than on defense. They are top-10 in points scored per game, they are first in field goal percentage at 51%, and are 4th in point differential at +4.2.

On the other side, the Milwaukee Bucks have been very good this year. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a star and leads the Bucks in scoring and rebounds too. He’s one of the few players averaging 30 points per game this year. Jrue Holiday is the second-leading scorer this year and leads the team in assists and steals per game. He’s the best defender they have too. Brook Lopez has been great down low and leads the team in blocks too. Khris Middleton is also playing well too on the wing, but has been in and out of the lineup with injuries this year.

As a team, Milwaukee excels more on defense than offense. They’re top-10 in points allowed and blocks per game. They are also second in rebounding at 48 rebounds per game. They are also top-10 in point differential too.

These are two of the better teams in the NBA, and this spread doesn’t make much sense. Expect the Nuggets to keep this relatively close, but the Bucks should win a very close game. This spread feels like a big reaction to injuries, when this should be a close game. Expect the Bucks to win a close one.

Betting Trends

Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.

Bucks are 2-10-1 ATS in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Key Matchups

Can Aaron Gordon matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo? Can Brook Lopez matchup with Nikola Jokic?

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Aaron Gordon

Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like an MVP this year too. He averages 31 points, 5 assists, and 12 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Aaron Gordon most of the game who averages 17 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds per game for the season. Gordon is a very good player, but Giannis is one of the best players in the NBA. This is a big matchup because of how good Giannis is.

Nikola Jokic vs. Brook Lopez

Nikola Jokic is playing amazing basketball again this year. He averages 25 points, 10 assists, 11 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Brook Lopez most of the game who averages 15 points, 1 assist, and 6 rebounds per game for the season. Jokic is an amazing player, but Lopez can play defense very well. This is a matchup that will have a big say in who wins this game because of how much offense Jokic generates for the Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup

PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Michael Porter Jr.
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez

Key Injuries

Denver Nuggets Injuries: PG Jamal Murray (Knee) Q, C Nikola Jokic (Hamstring) Q

Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: PF Bobby Portis (Knee) O, SG MarJon Beauchamp (Wrist) P