The 2021-22 NBA season continues Friday, November 26, with a loaded 12-game card, so we’re taking a closer look at the interconference showdown from Ball Arena in Denver to get you the best Bucks vs. Nuggets betting pick and odds. 

The reigning champs head to Colorado as small favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, searching for their second straight road victory over Denver. Last season, these two foes split a two-game series, as each team emerged victorious on the road, while the Nuggets are 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last ten meetings with the Bucks.

Milwaukee eyes its sixth straight W   

The Milwaukee Bucks have won five straight contests since Khris Middleton’s return from a COVID-19 list. The reigning champions improved to 11-8 SU and 8-11 ATS on the season following a 114-93 thrashing of the hapless Detroit Pistons this past Wednesday.

Middleton posted a line of 11 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. The Bucks dominated Detroit from start to finish and held their rivals to only 35.8% shooting from the field and 24.4% from beyond the arc.

Milwaukee is still missing Brook Lopez (back) and Donte DiVincenzo (foot), so Antetokounmpo and Middleton will continue to carry the Bucks’ offense that is tallying 108.7 points per 100 possessions (15th in the NBA). The Bucks still have room for improvement on both sides of the ball, as they surrender 106.1 points per 100 possessions (8th).

Denver desperately needs Nikola Jokic back  

The Denver Nuggets fell to 9-9 SU and 7-11 ATS on the season following a 119-100 defeat at the Portland Trail Blazers this past Tuesday. They missed Nikola Jokic for the third straight outing, and the Nuggets can wait for their best player to return from a wrist injury.

Denver is 0-5 SU and ATS over its last five outings. During that span, the Nuggets’ offense has averaged only 99.0 points on 43.0% shooting from the field. Denver is without Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back), so Jokic’s eventual return Friday would be a massive boost for their offense.

The Joker, who’s listed as questionable for the Bucks game, is posting 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists a night while making 59.3% of his field goals and 41.0% of his 3-pointers. The Nuggets tally 106.8 points per 100 possessions (tied-20th in the NBA) and surrender 107.0 in a return (14th).

Trends:

Milwaukee:

  • 13-8 ATS in the last 21 outings as favorites

Denver:

  • 0-5 ATS in the last five games overall
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five outings as underdogs

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets Pick

The slumping Nuggets will stand a chance if Nikola Jokic suits up, but I’m going with the Bucks either way. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been unstoppable as of late, averaging 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over his previous nine appearances, and the Nuggets will struggle to cope with the Greek Freak in the paint.

Both teams defend the 3-point line well, but the Nuggets shoot only 32.3% from deep (26th in the NBA). On the other side, the Bucks are making 36.2% of their triples (8th).

Pick: Take Milwaukee Bucks                 

The Total:

The under is 13-3 in the Bucks’ last 16 outings at any location, and it is 5-0 in their previous five encounters with the Western Conference. On the other side, the over is 5-1 in the Nuggets’ previous six games overall, while the under has hit in 11 of their last 18 showings at any location.

The Nuggets are registering only 95.9 possessions per 100 possessions, playing at the second-slowest pace in the NBA. They will try everything they can to slow down the Bucks, who average 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, so give me the under on the totals. 

Pick: Go under