Milwaukee Bucks vs Denver Nuggets Predictions, NBA Picks 3/9/2020

Game: Milwaukee Bucks vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Monday, March 9, 2020

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Gary Harris and the Denver Nuggets (42-21, 1st in the Northwest Division) play the Milwaukee Bucks (53-10, 1st in the Central Division) at Pepsi Center on Monday, March 9, 2020. The line on this contest has Denver as 2.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 226.

The Bucks cover 57.1% of the time, having gone 36-27-0 ATS. Denver is covering the spread 47.5% of the time, going 28-31-4 against the spread.

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

03/07/20 SF Giannis Antetokounmpo Knee is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs Phoenix
03/06/20 PG George Hill Groin is questionable Sunday vs Phoenix

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton comes into this game averaging 20.7 points per contest while playing 30.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 91%. Eric Bledsoe averages 15.2 points per contest in 27.1 minutes per game. He averages 5.4 assists per game and 4.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris scores 10.3 points per contest while playing 31.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 2.9 rebounds per contest and has 2.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Nikola Jokic averages 20.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 10.2 rebounds per game and has 6.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 118.8 points per contest, which is 1st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 12.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 52.0 boards per contest and 26.0 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 13th with 15.0 per game. The Bucks allow 106.8 points per contest, which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 14th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 23.6 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 20th in the NBA with 110.6 points per contest this season. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.08. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 15th in the league. They are 19th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.3 boards per contest and 4th in assists per game with 26.6. The Nuggets are 24th in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Nuggets give up 107.6 points per game, which ranks them 8th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 25.1 dimes allowed per game and 5th with 42.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Nuggets are 14th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.7, and their defensive rating of 101.3 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 105.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 1st. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Milwaukee is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 13th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Denver -2.5

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