The Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks have the potential to end up meeting in the 2025 NBA Finals. But for now, they will look to test each other out in a regular-season contest in Cream City. Will the Nuggets pummel Milwaukee? Or, will the Bucks edge Nikola Jokic & Co.?

Catch this game live on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Denver Nuggets (38-20/18-11 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jamal Murray (Probable)
  • Christian Braun
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon (Probable)
  • Nikola Jokic

It did not take the Nuggets long before they got back on track, as they are back to their winning ways following a 125-116 humbling of the Indiana Pacers to start a four-game road trip last Tuesday. Before that, the Nuggets saw their nine-game win streak get snapped in a 123-100 home loss at the hands of Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. Two days of full rest since their last game should be beneficial for the Nuggets, who are also 20-16-1 against the spread so far this season in games after a win. 

That being said, the Nuggets have two key players in Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon deemed probable for the Milwaukee game. However, both players also had probable labels before the Pacers game before ultimately getting the green light to play. The Nuggets’ offense figures to give Milwaukee massive headaches, as Denver has posted a 124.8 offensive rating in the last 10 games – second-best in the entire NBA over the same stretch.

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Home: Milwaukee Bucks (32-25, 19-9 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Damian Lillard
  • Taurean Prince
  • Kyle Kuzma
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Probable)
  • Brook Lopez

The Bucks are coming into this game looking to pull off a Denver. Milwaukee was tripped up by the Houston Rockets on the road in a 100-97 loss on Wednesday, ending the Bucks’ four-game win streak. Now, Milwaukee looks to return to the win column right away, an opportunity that the Bucks will have this Friday at home, where they have been doing great against the spread of late.

 The Bucks have gone 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games at Fiserv Forum, including both of their last two outings there. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable for the matchup versus Denver, though, he has not missed a game since the NBA All-Star break. Over his last four games, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player has averaged 22.8 points on 62.1 percent shooting from the field. Damian Lillard, meanwhile, will look to recapture his form after needing 22 field goal attempts to score 22 points in the Rockets game.

Picks

Spread: Denver Nuggets (-3.0)

Over/Under: Under (211.0)

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