Nuggets vs. Bucks NBA expert prediction and odds for Monday, Feb. 12 (Bet under)
The Denver Nuggets had a three-game winning streak snapped on Friday after no-showing on the road in a 135-106 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Denver has fallen into a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference with the Clippers and Thunder, but are just a half-game back of first-place Minnesota heading into Monday’s big matchup with Milwaukee.
The Bucks were just 1-5 since Doc Rivers took over as interim head coach before blitzing the Charlotte Hornets at home on Friday, 120-84. Can they get a win Monday with a step up in class against the defending champs? It’s a rematch from Jan. 29, when Denver held off Milwaukee for a 113-107 win in Colorado. Will history repeat itself? Here’s the betting preview for Monday’s matchup with a best bet.
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Nuggets vs. Bucks odds, spread and total
Nuggets vs. Bucks how to watch
- Date: Monday, Feb. 12
- Game time: 8 p.m. EST
- Venue: Fiserv Forum
- How to watch (TV): NBA TV
- Nuggets record: 36-17
- Bucks record: 34-19
Nuggets vs. Bucks injury report
Denver Nuggets
- Michael Porter Jr. (knee): questionable
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring): questionable
Milwaukee Bucks
- Damian Lillard (ankle): probable
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee): probable
- Khris Middleton (ankle): out
Nuggets vs. Bucks key players to watch
Nuggets
Jamal Murray: Murray, despite being held without a three-pointer, poured in 35 points in the win over Milwaukee Jan. 29. He shot 13-of-22 from the field and got to the free-throw line 10 times. Murray has 11-of-20 from the perimeter over the last three games with a pair of double-doubles in that stretch.
Bucks
Damian Lillard: After missing two games (both losses) with an ankle injury, Lillard returned on Friday and helped Milwaukee cruise against Charlotte. Lillard, despite a 2-of-8 showing from beyond the arc, shot 50% from the field and finished with 26 points and 8 assists in the Bucks’ 120-84 win. Lillard looks good to go for Monday night with a probable tag going into the matchup.
Nuggets vs. Bucks prediction and pick
It’s hard to call Milwaukee fixed after beating up on the lowly Hornets. This is still a Bucks team that is 11-15-1 ATS at home this season and are just 2-5 ATS since Rivers took his spot on the Milwaukee bench.
Look for the under in this game. The Bucks are 6-1 to the under with Rivers on the bench and this should be another close game that comes down to the final minutes, just like the Jan. 29 matchup. Milwaukee has a high-powered offense, but Denver has enough to slow them down, ranking No. 4 in second-chance points and slowing the game down.
The Nuggets play at the No. 29 pace in the NBA and limit opportunities in transition on the other end, ranking eighth in the league in fast-break points allowed. Denver’s defense is No. 6 in scoring overall, and No. 4 on the road, giving up just 112 points per game. Denver allowed 107 points against Milwaukee in the previous matchup, despite the Bucks shooting 40% from beyond the arc.
Denver’s defense should turn around after a poor performance in Sacramento and the Bucks shouldn’t be overvalued after beating up on the Hornets. Take the under.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.