Bucks vs. Nuggets Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Feb. 8, 2021

By Jonathan Willis

VegasInsider.com

Denver is hoping that a return to the Mile-High City will put a stop to a recent skid. The Nuggets lost their two-game California swing with the Lakers and Kings earlier this week, and they will start a four-game homestand on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee has yet to lose in February with a 4-0 record since the first of the month.

Bucks vs. Nuggets Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern vs. Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, Colorado
Date: Monday, Feb. 8, 2021
Time: 9:35 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | Colorado

Betting Odds - Bucks vs. Nuggets

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Bucks -4.5
Money-Line: Milwaukee -190, Denver +165
Total: 234.5

The Nuggets return home after getting tripped up at Sacramento on Saturday. (AP)

Bucks vs. Nuggets Current Form-Last Game

It was only a matter of time before the Bucks went on a run. This has been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last two years, and Milwaukee only got better in the offseason with the addition of Jrue Holiday.

They haven’t suffered a defeat since a 126-114 loss at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets on January 30. A win here would lead to Milwaukee being on its longest winning streak of the season.

Milwaukee has been a buzzsaw over the last week. The Bucks have won all four of their games by at least 18 points with a total MOV of 91 points in this stretch. They started the week with blowout victories over Portland and Indiana at home before hammering the Cavaliers in Cleveland in both games of a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.

Giannis Antetokuonmpo led Milwaukee in scoring both nights. He made over 50 percent of his baskets and pulled down double-digit rebounds in both games, ensuring the Bucks stretched their winning streak to seven games over the Cavaliers.

The Nuggets looked great over the last two weeks of January. Denver won six of seven games with the only loss coming on the road against San Antonio. This team capped off the month with a 128-117 win over Utah where Nikola Jokic recorded 47 points and 12 rebounds.

This last week hasn’t been great for Denver though. The Nuggets’ game against Detroit on Monday was called off minutes before tip-off due to an inconclusive COVID test for a Detroit player.

Then, Denver got hammered by the Lakers on Thursday night before suffering a tough loss at the hands of the Kings on Saturday afternoon.

Sacramento beat Denver, 119-114 despite a heroic effort from Jokic. The MVP candidate went 20 of 33 for 50 points, and he had 12 assists against one turnover. He nearly led the Nuggets to the win without Jamal Murray, as Murray was sitting out due to a knee injury.

Bucks vs. Nuggets Head-to-Head

Mar. 9, 2020 - Nuggets 109 vs. Bucks 95, Denver -7, Under 221.5
Jan. 31, 2020 - Nuggets 127 at Bucks 115, Denver +12.5, Over 224

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 15-8 SU, 12-11 ATS, 13-9-1 OU
Road: 6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, 6-5-1 OU

Antetokuonmpo is the star of the show in Milwaukee. He is averaging 27.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 5.8 APG, but he has his sights set on team glory rather than individual honors after winning the last two MVP awards.

However, he continues to struggle from downtown, leading to him essentially abandoning the three-point line with just seven attempts from beyond the arc during the winning streak.

Khris Middleton keeps answering the bell by making 52 percent of his field goals and 46.5 percent of his threes this season. He is the most efficient shooter on the roster, and he provides Antetokuonmpo with a safety valve when defenses focus on shutting down the two-time MVP.

The major difference maker during Milwaukee’s most recent winning streak is Holiday. He has knocked down at least 55 percent of his shots in each of the four wins, and he is now shooting at better than 50 percent along with Antetokuonmpo and Middleton.

Holiday is currently knocking down 67.4 percent of his field goals and 54.5 percent of his threes in February while adding 6.0 APG.

Brook Lopez will draw the unenviable duty of matching up against Jokic for much of the game. Lopez was an All-Defensive Second Team choice last year, but Jokic is almost impossible to stop due to his size and unique skillset.

Lopez needs to at least punish Jokic on the defense end, yet he is shooting just 46.4 percent from the floor in 2020-21.

Denver Nuggets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 12-10 SU, 10-12 ATS, 16-6 OU
Home: 5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS, 7-3 OU

Murray is considered questionable to play on Monday after missing Denver’s last game. He has dealt with a couple nagging injuries this season, but it doesn’t seem like anything he is dealing with is particularly serious.

The Nuggets certainly want to have him back as Murray is Denver’s second-leading scorer with 19.0 PPG this season.

Denver’s backcourt is already stretched thin with Gary Harris and P.J. Dozier dealing with injuries too. Dozier and Harris have already been ruled out for Monday, so the loss of Murray would lead to Monte Morris and R.J. Hampton playing big minutes.

Morris has been somewhat effective on offense, making 50 percent of field goals and 35.6 percent of his threes to average 11.0 PPG. However, Hampton is still extremely raw as a late first-round pick in the most recent NBA Draft.

Fortunately, Jokic is playing at an extremely high level. He has continued to grow and develop during his years in the NBA, and he is close to averaging a triple-double with 27.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 8.6 APG.

There is no big man with the same vision as Jokic, and he has been able to succeed down low and on the perimeter this season.

Michael Porter, Jr. is the X-factor for Denver. Porter is extremely talented, averaging 15.2 PPG and 6.4 RPG in 12 games. His health has always been the question, but right now he is healthy and playing well.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

None

Denver Nuggets

SG Jamal Murray: Knee - Questionable
SG Gary Harris: Thigh - Questionable