3 positive takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ win over Denver Nuggets
By Dalton Sell
Following a five-game homestand where they reeled off five straight wins, the Milwaukee Bucks hit the road last night to take on the Denver Nuggets.
These were not the usual Nuggets as they were without an array of rotation players, including the reigning NBA MVP in Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., P.J. Dozier, and several others. Injuries are an unfortunate storyline for Denver this season as they continue piling up one after another. Due to those circumstances, this game was practically all Milwaukee from start to finish, although there were some moments of fight sprinkled in from a shorthanded Denver squad. The Bucks built up a lead as big as 20 points as they earned their sixth consecutive win with a 120-109 final score. It was a great effort from the Bucks, and here are three takeaways from the matchup.
The Milwaukee Bucks dominate the Denver Nuggets on the glass as they have emphasized attacking the boards
Rebounding had been an issue for the Bucks to start the season, but they have turned that around as of late. That trend carried over into this game against the Nuggets as the Bucks won the battle of the boards with a final tally of 53-35. Denver faced a tall order rebounding the ball without their man in the middle in Jokic, and Milwaukee took advantage by dominating the glass.
As usual, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 13 rebounds, asserting his presence against the center-deprived Nuggets to snatch boards. Bobby Portis, who had his first quiet game in quite some time, finished second with eight boards, while Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday each pulled down five rebounds apiece. It was a team effort for the Bucks after it seems like they have started to emphasize crashing the glass as much as possible following that early stretch in the season.
The Bucks have found this success on the glass lately with big man Brook Lopez still recovering from his nagging back soreness. Although the 7-footer has never been known for rebounding, he would certainly provide the Bucks with some extra reinforcements in that area, especially on the offensive end. No date has been set for the big man’s return, but he recently hinted that he is on track to return sometime soon. They did not need him last night, but he will be huge down the line for the defending champs.