Bucks Zone

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks eye revenge versus the Denver Nuggets

The Bucks lost to the Nuggets in their first meeting this season.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks face a big test in their bid to log their first back-to-back wins under coach Doc Rivers as they host the defending champions Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

Rivers’ tenure with the Bucks started with a 107-113 loss to the Nuggets on January 29th. The loss was part of Milwaukee’s five-game road trip, where it went 1-4. The Bucks are 2-5 under Rivers, with the two wins coming against the Dallas Mavericks (129-117) and the lowly Charlotte Hornets (120-84).

The win over the Hornets on Friday night was Rivers’ first victory at home. The Bucks are 34-19 in the season and 1-1 in their current four-game homestand. They will face the Miami Heat on Tuesday for the back end of a back-to-back.

Nikola, Jamal dominated the Bucks

In their first meeting, the Bucks had trouble handling Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who combined for 60 points in the win. Jamal finished with 35 points, while Nikola collected 25 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks.

Milwaukee’s own superstar duo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, connected for just 47 points in the loss. Giannis piled up 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Lillard managed just 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field.

The Nuggets are coming off a 106-135 loss to the Sacramento Kings. They are currently fourth in the West with a 36-17 record.

Injury report

Antetokounmpo (knee) and Lillard (ankle) are listed as probable for the Bucks. Middleton will miss his second straight game due to a sprained ankle.

Michael Porter Jr. (knee) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) are listed as questionable for the Nuggets. 

"He's so good, there's different levels to the difficulty" - Brook Lopez speaks on the challenge of guarding Nikola Jokic

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.