The Milwaukee Bucks (17-21) and Denver Nuggets (25-13) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The game will broadcast live on ALT.
The Bucks are 2-point favorites over the Nuggets on the spread (Bucks -2), with the over/under set at 221.5 total points. Milwaukee is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Denver is +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bucks vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, January 11.
Bucks vs Nuggets Prediction
- Bucks vs Nuggets pick: Bucks Moneyline (-135)
My Nuggets vs Bucks best bet is on Milwaukee moneyline, with the best price currently available at bet365. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bucks vs Nuggets Odds
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 221.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 221.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
Bucks vs Nuggets NBA Preview
Injuries have forced Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss 14 of the Bucks' 38 games this season. During that span, Milwaukee went just 3-11 without its superstar.
As a result, Milwaukee is just 17-21 heading into Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
However, the Bucks are enjoying a bit of form at the moment, winning three of their last four games and five of their previous seven.
Friday's victory over a quality Lakers team shows that when healthy, Milwaukee can still pose a threat against the top sides in the league. It's worth noting that the Bucks sat comfortably above .500 before injuries began to sideline Antetokounmpo.
Now, Milwaukee is easily the healthier side on paper with all five starters expected to suit up.
As for the Nuggets, they'll have to take the court yet again without their best player, Nikola Jokic. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Jokic ranks first in its proprietary NBA MVP Award Tracker.
Unfortunately, his current knee injury might prevent him from reaching the 65-game minimum requirement for the award.
Jokic isn't expected back in action until Feb. 1. The Nuggets center had played every game this season until hyperextending his left knee against the Heat.
We saw Denver's frailty on display when it suffered a 110-87 home defeat to the Hawks. In fairness, the Nuggets were also without their starting point guard, Jamal Murray.
Murray remains questionable and will be a game-time decision due to an ankle injury.
Bucks vs Nuggets Prediction, Betting Analysis
It would be difficult to find a player who offers more value to his team than Jokic. After all, he's averaging a triple-double for a second straight year while leading the league in rebounds (12.2) and assists (11.0).
Without Jokic, the Nuggets are just 3-3 on the year, with two of their losses coming against the Hawks and Nets, both of whom are under .500.
Milwaukee is getting into a bit of a rhythm now that Antetokounmpo's back on the court, and I expect the Nuggets' struggles to continue without their star center.
While one might perceive this game as a great spot to back the Nuggets following their loss, Denver is 1-8 straight up as an underdog when playing back-to-back home games after losing by 23 or more points.
With the absence of Jokic giving Milwaukee even more of a fighting chance, the Bucks' moneyline provides us with a way home for a best bet in the matchup.
Bucks vs Nuggets Best Bet
- Bucks Moneyline (-135, bet365)
