The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to continue collecting Ws as they host the Denver Nuggets, who, likewise, are a top-rated defense.

HOME TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks (41-6, 19-4 at home)

The Bucks have been racking up wins all season. They enter the contest having won nine straight games, where they average 123 points per game and only allow opponents to shoot 39.6% from the floor. The great stretch captures the team’s flawlessness play, one that ranks them as among the best in offense and defense.

Reigning and possibly back-to-back Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 PPG, 12.9, 5.6 APG) missed the previous game due to tightness in his right shoulder. He’s listed as day-to-day.

Should The Greek Freak miss another game, Khris Middleton (20.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.9 APG) is again eyed to fill out much of the responsibility. He stepped up quite nicely in Wednesday’s 151-133 win over the Washington Wizards, scoring a career-high 51 points to go along 10 rebounds and six assists.

Eric Bledsoe (27 PPG, 7.5 APG in his last two) followed suit by pouring in 34 points and 10 assists, both season-highs. Such production is also expected if Giannis decides to sit out again.

ROAD TEAM: Denver Nuggets (33-15, 14-9 on the road)

Though the Nuggets have been inconsistent lately, they will be building off a good win. Through great defense, they moved past the Utah Jazz on Friday, 106-100, and held Donovan Mitchell to four points on 1-for-12 shooting.

The encouraging win is just what they need for tomorrow’s face-off with arguably the league’s best team, especially Nikola Jokic, who’s on the spot to lead the Nuggets. He only averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on a 43.8%-shooting versus the Bucks last season – mediocre rebounding and shooting numbers for a big man.

The Joker will again be backed by Denver’s collection of forwards, who are all capable of bringing good damage at any given night – Will Barton (14.8 PPG on the season), Jerami Grant (16.5 PPG since January 9th), Michael Porter Jr. (14.6 PPG in his last nine).

PREDICTION:

The two engage in an entertaining back-and-forth, and the Bucks win, 113-108. They should be able to take care of business with or without Giannis – look for another big night from Middleton if he’s out.