Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction 01/31/20

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The league’s top scoring team will be at home in Fiserv Forum, when the Milwaukee Bucks (41-6) clash with the Denver Nuggets (33-15). The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, January 31, 2020, and will air on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt.

Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

Both teams covered as favorites in their last outing. The Bucks (11.5-point favorites) defeated the Washington Wizards 151-131, while the Nuggets (1-point favorites) beat the Utah Jazz 106-100. The Milwaukee game finished 41 points over the projected point total of 241, while the Denver game went 18 points under the projected point total of 224.

Denver dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 8.7 (better than their season average of 11.5) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.1 (below their season average of 25.4). For those same stats, Utah had marks of 15.8 and 12.5, respectively. Meanwhile, Milwaukee played a nearly flawless game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 31.4 (above their season average of 20.8) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.661 (above their season average of 0.558). For those same stats, Washington had marks of 23.9 and 0.543, respectively. Khris Middleton had a good game for Milwaukee with 51 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic had a good game for Denver, putting up 28 points and 10 assists.

The Bucks dominated this series last year, winning both contests. In the last game, Milwaukee won 104-98. Milwaukee’s 0.148 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Denver, who had a rate of 0.064. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.

Of the Nuggets’ 47 games with betting action, 28 have gone under the projected point total. Denver is 33-15 straight up (SU), but they are just 19-22-6 against the spread (ATS).

Bucks games also have finished under the O/U total 51.1 percent of the time. Further, Milwaukee is 41-6 SU and 26-21 ATS.

The Nuggets’ Jokic has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 22 points,12.4 rebounds,7.6 assists,1.6 steals per game. Meanwhile, Middleton has averaged 20 points,5.6 rebounds,4.2 assists,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Bucks.

Conflicting styles will be on display in this meeting. Milwaukee has preferred to play quickly (third in possessions per game), while Denver has been more half-court-oriented (28th in possessions per game). Also, the Nuggets, who rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.3 percent), will face a tough challenge against the Bucks, who rank first in defensive rebounding percentage (81.2 percent).

Nuggets at Bucks Odds Pick

Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks allow the fewest second chance points per game (11.2) while the Nuggets rank fifth (12.2).
  • Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points per game (18.8) while Denver ranks 24th (11.7).
  • The Bucks rank third in blocks per game (6.3) while the Nuggets rank 21st (4.5).
  • Milwaukee ranks first in rebounds per game (51.6) while Denver ranks 19th (44.8).
  • Denver ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while Milwaukee ranks eighth (15.7).
  • The Bucks rank fourth in three pointers attempted per game (38.4) while the Nuggets rank 26th (30.3).
  • The Bucks rank sixth in assists per game (26.1) while the Nuggets rank 19th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
  • Denver ranks ninth in steals per game (8.2) while Milwaukee ranks 11th in steals allowed per game (7.2).
  • Milwaukee ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (38.3) while Denver ranks 21st (49.2).
  • Denver is 11-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Milwaukee is 11-0.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Nuggets are 31-10 and the Bucks are 41-6.
  • Milwaukee is 13-11 ATS at home, while Denver is 10-10-3 ATS on the road.
  • In 23 road games, the Nuggets have 13 unders and 10 overs.
  • Of the Bucks’ 24 home games, they have 12 overs and 12 unders.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Nuggets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Bucks are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Denver has 4 unders and 1 over, while Milwaukee has 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 107.4 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.2 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
  • The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.2, up from 12.8 for the season.