Nuggets Seek Sixth Straight Road Win As Bucks Face Pressure At Home

The Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks are gearing up for a Friday night showdown at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, drawing the attention of NBA fans and oddsmakers alike. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. EST, with the contest broadcast on Prime Video, Altitude Sports, and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. While both squads boast star power and playoff ambitions, the storylines swirling around this matchup go far beyond the box score.

Denver enters the game with a sparkling 30-15 record, riding a five-game road winning streak and sitting comfortably in the top three of the Western Conference. That’s impressive, especially considering the Nuggets have been without their three-time MVP Nikola Jokic since late December. Jokic, sidelined by a left knee hyperextension, has missed the last 13 games—an absence that would cripple most teams. Yet Denver has found ways to win, thanks to a combination of depth, resilience, and some unlikely heroes stepping up in his stead.

On the other side, the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled to find their footing this season. With an 18-25 record, they sit 11th in the Eastern Conference and are fighting to stay in the Play-In conversation. The Bucks are 8-point favorites at home, according to the latest odds, but recent form tells a more complicated story. Milwaukee has dropped four of its last five games and is just 3-7 against the spread over the last ten. Rumors swirl about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially after the two-time MVP voiced his displeasure following the team’s latest loss. Speculation about a potential trade has only intensified as the deadline approaches.

Injuries are a major subplot for both teams. For Denver, Jokic remains out, and Jamal Murray is questionable with a hamstring issue, while Peyton Watson (ankles) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) are also listed as questionable. Aaron Gordon, nursing a right hamstring, is probable and has been a steadying force, increasing his assists and taking on more playmaking responsibilities. Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson are day-to-day, but neither has significantly impacted recent rotations. Milwaukee’s injury report is less daunting: Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) is out, Myles Turner (ankle) is probable, and Jonas Valanciunas is sidelined with a calf injury. The Bucks, however, are buoyed by the recent return of Giannis, who’s averaging 28.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

With Jokic out, the Nuggets have leaned heavily on Peyton Watson. Over the last 13 games, Watson has averaged 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. His breakout performance against the Washington Wizards on January 22—35 points, eight rebounds, and three assists—underscored his growing role. As ZT from DraftKings Sportsbook observed, “It’s been exciting to see Watson step up in Jokic’s absence, and I’m backing him for another strong showing Friday.” Aaron Gordon has also emerged as a key facilitator, dishing out 11 assists against the Wizards and five each against the Lakers and Wizards in recent outings. If Murray or Watson are limited, expect Gordon to continue shouldering a larger creative load.

For the Bucks, the spotlight is on Giannis, but there’s growing optimism around guard AJ Green. Green has seen his minutes rise in January, averaging 32.1 per game and putting up 10.8 points on average. He’s hit the 10+ points prop in six of his last eight games, and projections from Action Pro Report peg him for 13.3 points against the Nuggets. Bobby Portis is another player to watch; he’s scored at least 13 points in five straight games and dropped 14 points in just 17 minutes in the teams’ first meeting this season. As one analyst put it, “Portis should continue to squeeze Kuzma’s minutes if Kuzma continues to put up low numbers.”

Looking at the matchup, Denver’s offensive efficiency stands out. The Nuggets rank second in the NBA in points scored and lead the league in both field-goal percentage and three-point shooting. That’s a nightmare for a Milwaukee defense that sits in the middle of most efficiency metrics and has struggled to contain elite shot-making teams. The Bucks rank near the bottom in opponent three-point percentage allowed, a vulnerability Denver’s shooters will be eager to exploit.

Historically, Denver has had Milwaukee’s number, winning six of the last ten head-to-head meetings and already besting the Bucks once this month—a 108-104 victory on January 11, 2026. The all-time regular-season series stands at 67-41 in Denver’s favor across 108 games. The last five meetings have been tightly contested, with Denver holding a 3-2 edge. Still, Milwaukee is healthier overall and has gone 5-2 since Giannis returned to the lineup.

Betting trends further tilt the numbers toward Denver. The Nuggets are 26-19 against the spread this season and a perfect 4-0 ATS when listed as an underdog of 6.5 points or more. They’re also 5-0 ATS in their last five road games and 7-3 straight up over their past ten contests. Milwaukee, meanwhile, is 19-24 ATS overall. The over/under for the game is set at 214.5 to 218.5 points depending on the book, and many analysts expect the total to go over, given Denver’s scoring prowess and Milwaukee’s recent defensive lapses.

As for the game plan, Denver will rely on effort, depth, and smart rotations. Bruce Brown is expected to help steady the ship, especially if Braun or Murray are limited. Milwaukee, with a healthier roster and home-court advantage, will look to Giannis to set the tone, but bench contributions—particularly from AJ Green and Bobby Portis—could prove decisive.

Fans can catch the action on Prime Video, Altitude Sports, or FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. For those looking to stream, DIRECTV and FuboTV are offering free trials, and Prime Video provides a 30-day free period for new users. With both teams trending in opposite directions—Denver surging despite adversity and Milwaukee searching for answers—the stakes feel especially high.

As tipoff approaches, all eyes are on Milwaukee to see if they can capitalize on Denver’s shorthanded lineup and snap out of their recent funk. But if the Nuggets’ recent resilience is any indication, this one could go down to the wire. The action is set, the narratives are swirling, and basketball fans are in for a Friday night treat at Fiserv Forum.