Tonight on TNT: Giannis’ Bucks host Jokić’s Nuggets
Two Kia MVPs with contrasting styles clash as the Nuggets travel to Milwaukee in a high-stakes showdown.
NBA.com Staff
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Two MVPs. Two dominant forces. One marquee matchup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić, the last two players to win back-to-back Kia MVPs, headline a must-watch showdown tonight as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Denver Nuggets (8 p.m. ET, TNT).
While both stand 6-foot-11 and continue to put up historic numbers, they dominate the game differently.
Giannis: The Relentless Force
The Greek Freak is a wrecking ball, using his unmatched blend of size, speed, and skill to attack the rim at will. After becoming the first player in NBA history to average 30+ PPG on 60% shooting last season, Giannis is on pace to do it again.
This season:
From full-court sprints to spin moves from the three-point line, Giannis turns fast breaks into instant highlights. Slowing him down is easier said than done.
Jokić: The Playmaking Genius
On the other side, Nikola Jokić continues redefining what a center can be. Averaging a triple-double (29.2 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 10.4 APG), the Joker is on pace to become the first center in NBA history to record 10+ APG in a single season.
This season:
Jokić’s vision and passing wizardry fuel Denver’s high-powered offense, making every possession unpredictable.
Detroit knocks off Boston to end a 17-year drought, Shaedon Sharpe throws down an epic hammer, OKC rallies and more from Wednesday’s action.
The new alternate game telecast will debut on Feb. 27 for the Lakers-Wolves matchup, available on NBA League Pass and the NBA App.
The last time Detroit won 8 or more consecutive games came in 2008, when it strung together 10 victories.
The Top 5 remains intact at the All-Star break but a frantic finish with plenty of movement seems likely.
Stay in the know on tonight’s NBA action as we keep you updated with the latest news and happenings around the league.
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Game Thread: Denver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks. February 27th, 2025.
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Giannis grifting on that one.
That’s less contact than the call that Jamal DIDN’T get
So in regards to concerns about the Nuggets dealing with physical play, tonight didn’t alleviate those concerns with Jamal and MPJ being way off their games
Jamal completely grabbed by Prince trying to set a screen
1 assist short of 3×2 for Joker
Mike is 4-20 and he’s played a SHIT TON of minutes
What is wrong with Malone?
That’s our $35 million dollar player
AG late on the help, but Jokic can’t let Lopez get past him on the perimeter.
Did Brook Lopez take Jokic off the dribble and dunk on him? What is going on?
Welp.
whistles are all on one end
That was kinda embarrassing Jok.
lol
omg that is just egregious defense from joker
This game isn’t over
Gonna stick to my claim that our effort and gameplan have been fine tonight. Missing open shots eventually took our hearts away.
Jamal has been a scrub most of the game, dame isn’t even doing much
MPJ cost us this game
If he’s not hitting his shots then he’s of no use.
He doesn’t look healthy. He isn’t jumping right around the rim
Porter quarter -/ 2 time
People really tried to act like Gary Trent wouldn’t help this team.
The lack of shooting around our three max guys puts an incredible burden on this team and Straw is a year away from being ready
tonight the lack of shooting from 2 of the 3 max players is the issue
So helpless at the rim.
Annnnnnd that will do it…
Jokic will score a few keeping our hopes up but that’s a wrap. A plethora of bad decisions by our coach and our players
Jamal trying his best Lillard… Yell for a foul. C’mon man
C’mon, that was a LOT of contact.
Maybe but he’s just been out of sorts all night you can’t let a shrimp like Lillard get you off your game
Actually he’s yelled a few times
Down 10 feels like 20
I’m expecting a new team in the offseason
anyone still convinced by this team’s defense is pretty delusional
Well they have one of the best fourth quarter defensive ratings in the league… Unfortunately that doesn’t do you a whole lot of good if you’re down double digits AND can’t f****** buy a shot
Of all the games to gripe about defense, this is not the one. Our defense has been fine. Our shot-making has been an outlier.
I’m not griping about our defense
Was intended for BroncoFan
dont care about season ratings since it includes a lot of bad offenses, we haven’t stop any decent offenses
Ref home cooking
Refs have tilted this a bit but less than usual.
Actually, a 19-6 deficit at the line is ridiculous for a team like ours that lives in the paint.
They never seem to tilt it our way though…
What an awful call.
How is our transition D this inept?
Now bring in Jokic with stoppage and 7:03 left.
Kuzma wasn’t even touched on the f****** head what the f*** is going on??
It makes no sense. Where was the hit to the head?
Kuzma 2 seconds after the play throws his head down like he’d been shot
How is Mal not getting some of these calls?
I mean, he is a Denver Nugget.
DJ has feet of cement.
Good foul
no way
Joke of a defense
Green is mauling Murray and crickets.
Flurry incoming.
Good defensive possession from Mike on Kuz there
That’s 7 threes that hit both sides of the rim and didn’t go in.
Mike and DJ both gambled on Kuzma and gave up a layup. Pretty lazy way to play defense against a guy who is mediocre.
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Preview: Nuggets Take On Bucks
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HEADLINES
Nuggets vs. Bucks odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, Feb. 27 best bets from proven model
A cross-conference collision has the Denver Nuggets (38-20) battling against the Milwaukee Bucks (32-25) on Thursday evening. The Nuggets topped the Indiana Pacers, 125-116, on Monday. This was their 10th win in the last 11 games. Meanwhile, the Bucks had their four-game win streak halted when the Houston Rockets beat Milwaukee, 100-97, on Tuesday. Aaron Gordan (calf) is questionable and Jamal Murray (knee) is probable for the Nuggets. Pat Connaughton (calf) is out for the Bucks.
Tipoff from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is at 8 p.m. ET. Denver is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Bucks odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 241.5. Russell Westbrook’s over/under for total points scored is 11.5. Before locking in any Bucks vs. Nuggets picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-106 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-10 (64%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Nuggets vs. Bucks 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Nuggets vs. Bucks:
Center Nikola Jokic is a playmaker all over the court. Jokic thrives as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator. Jokic is second in the league in assists (10.4) while being third in both points (29.2) and rebounds (12.6) per game. In his last outing, the 30-year-old racked up 18 points, nine rebounds, and a career-high 19 assists. This was his 44th double-double this season.
Guard Jamal Murray is a smooth ball-handler and shot-creator in the backcourt. Murray logs 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. The 28-year-old has finished with at least 34 points in two of his last four contests. In the Feb. 12 win over the Trail Blazers, Murray finished with 55 points, four rebounds, and five dimes. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been an outstanding force in the lane as a scorer and rebounder. Antetokounmpo is second in the NBA in points (31), sixth in rebounds (12), and eighth in field-goal percentage (60.9%). In his previous outing, Antetokounmpo racked up 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
Guard Damian Lillard is another threat who can score from all three levels on the floor. Lillard is 12th in the NBA in points (25.5) and ninth in assists (7.4) per game. In addition, he shoots 38% from beyond the arc. On Feb. 23 against the Heat, Lillard totaled 28 points and eight assists, while knocking down five 3-pointers. See which team to back at SportsLine.
SportsLine’s model has simulated Nuggets vs. Bucks and is leaning Under the total, projecting 231 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Bucks on Thursday, and which side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Bucks spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
Here are some of the sportsbooks to bet on NBA games today, along with the various NBA sportsbook promos they currently offer.
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