Giannis Antetekuompo and Nikola Jokic will square off tonight for the first time in a year. These two have five MVP awards between them and one finals MVP each. The Denver Nuggets have won ten out of their last eleven games, and the Bucks have won six out of their last ten.
The Denver Nuggets had an awful start to the season with a record of 11-10 in their first 21 games. Since that point, the Nuggets have won 27 and lost ten games. So they have come together as a team even if they hardly play any defense at all. Jokic and Murray have gotten their feared two-man game going as of late, which is crucial for Denver’s ambition to make a deep playoff run.
The Nuggets are on a four-game road trip which started out with a win versus the Indiana Pacers (125-116). Jokic had 19 dimes, which is a new career high for the Serbian wizard. Aaron Gordon had 25 points and bullied his opponents the whole game. AG is looking better and better on the court. Denver is currently third in the stacked West with a record of 38-20.
Milwaukee just had a heartbreaking loss away to the Houston Rockets by 97-100. The Bucks had plenty of chances to close out the game but could not do it. This was a game they should have won in all honesty. The Bucks had won four straight before the loss to Houston. Head coach Doc Rivers was understandably very disappointed after the game.
Milwaukee added Kyle Kuzma (from the Wizards) on trade deadline day, and he has been contributing straight away for the Bucks. He provides a lot on the defensive end of the floor for Milwaukee. Forward Bobby Portis Jr. will not be available due to a suspension. That is a big blow for Doc Rivers and the Bucks.
Milwaukee’s start to the season was worse than Denver’s by far. They got their stuff together and have a record of 32 wins and 25 losses currently. Giannis is back after sitting out a couple of games (pre-All-Star break). His importance to the Bucks is nothing less than huge. The Greek Freak is playing with a minute restriction at the moment. The Bucks have a home record of 19 wins and nine losses.
The Nuggets own one of the best road records in the NBA currently (18-11). Payton Watson is out for Denver. In his absence, Zeke Nnaji is in the rotation, and the power forward is doing a good job, particularly on the defensive end of the floor with his size and versatility.
