Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: April 1 at Denver Nuggets

Nugget to watch

Over the past couple of seasons, no player in the NBA has caused the Bucks greater problems than Nikola Jokic, and Milwaukee can probably count themselves lucky that they only have to play the Nuggets twice a year.

While Jokic has emerged as one of the most entertaining and skilful young centers in the league, he’s used games against the Bucks as a platform to put an exclamation point on his talent.

Jokic has recorded triple-doubles in all three of his matchups against the Bucks over the last two seasons, averaging 21 points, 13.6 rebounds and 12.6 assists, while shooting 64.1 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from deep.

Even if he can’t repeat that kind of gaudy performance again, a night in line with Jokic’s overall season averages of 17.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists should still prove tough to contain.

Considering the Bucks’ problems at center in terms of size, strength and, more recently, injury, Jokic has all of the tools needed to terrorize Milwaukee on Sunday night. A big night for the Serbian may be close to a guarantee, meaning Milwaukee’s focus could well be on keeping his teammates from joining him.