The Denver Nuggets (42-21) play host to the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks (53-11) Monday night. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. ET at Pepsi Center. We analyze the Bucks-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Bucks at Nuggets: Key injuries
Bucks
- PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) out
Nuggets
- C Bol Bol (foot) out
Bucks at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 109, Nuggets 107
Moneyline (ML)
The Bucks (+180) won’t have Giannis Monday night, which does change things a bit. Had he been available, Milwaukee likely would’ve been favored; however, the Bucks will still come away with a win over the Nuggets (-222) on the road.
Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton will help carry the load offensively after scoring 67 combined points Sunday night. Defense is where Milwaukee could struggle, especially against Nuggets C Nikola Jokic.
The Bucks are 25-8 on the road this season, and will add another one to the win column tonight. Take the BUCKS (+180) at plus-money to upset Denver.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bucks returns a profit of $18.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Nuggets are 5.5-point favorites in this matchup, making this just the eighth time Milwaukee has been an underdog all season – and the third time in the last eight games. Both teams are only 1-4 against the spread in their last five contests, so neither has done well covering the spread.
If we’re going with the BUCKS (+5.5, -110) to win straight up, of course, we’re taking them to cover, too. They’ll need to win outright or stay within 5 points in a loss.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under is 221.5 Monday night, though these teams rank on opposite ends of the spectrum offensively. Milwaukee is No. 1 in scoring, while Denver is only 20th. The Nuggets defense is eighth in the NBA, which is where they have most of their success. Milwaukee is sixth.
Antetokounmpo’s absence hurts the Bucks on both ends of the court, which will keep this game under the projected total. Bet the UNDER 221.5 (-106), though it’ll be pretty close.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]