Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 2/15/2018

Thursday, February 15, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to BMO Harris Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, February 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 4.5 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 31-26. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.9 as they are averaging 107.4 points per game while giving up 106.5 per contest. The Bucks have an overall record of 32-24. They currently are 2nd in the Central Division. They are averaging 104.3 points per game and surrendering 104.1, good for a point differential of 0.2.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 27-27-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 26-31-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 24-27-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 27-28-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely
01/31/18 C Mason Plumlee Calf is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
02/13/18 F John Henson Hamstring is "?" Thursday vs Denver
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is OUT 3-4 weeks
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this contest averaging 16.7 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 10.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Gary Harris averages 17.3 points per game in 34.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 27.6 points per game while playing 37 minutes per contest this year for the Bucks. He grabs 10.4 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 76%. Khris Middleton averages 20 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 4.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 107.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.86 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 24.1 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.2 per game. The Nuggets allow 106.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.9 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 18th in the league with 104.3 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.16. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 39.3 boards per game, and 19th in assists per contest with 22.4. The Bucks are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.6. The Bucks surrender 104.1 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 42.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.6, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league. Denver is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league. The Bucks are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.9, and their defensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Milwaukee -4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink