Denver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads Bucks to Victory

Image credits: Image via Rick Bowmer/ AP

The Milwaukee Bucks secured a 121-112 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, thanks to a dominant performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo. He scored 28 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and dished seven assists, leading his team to their fifth win in six games. Brook Lopez added 22 points for Milwaukee, while Damian Lillard poured in 19 points, and Kyle Kuzma produced 16 points and nine rebounds. The Bucks' bench also played a crucial role, with AJ Green's two 3-pointers and a steal and layup from Trent contributing to an 8-0 run that put Milwaukee ahead 92-83 with 9:59 to go.

Nikola Jokic compiled an impressive 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Nuggets, who have lost two of their last three games since winning nine straight. Jamal Murray added 20 points, while Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. each had a double-double. Despite a strong performance by Jokic, the Nuggets were unable to overcome the Bucks' strong team effort. The Bucks came out firing, taking a 14-5 lead, but Jokic responded swiftly, putting up 16 points in the quarter, and the game was even 30-30 going into the second.

The Nuggets took a 57-54 lead into halftime, with Kuzma leading the Bucks with 13 points before the break. Milwaukee went up by seven late in the third quarter on a Gary Trent Jr. 3-pointer, but Jokic proceeded to lay one in, grab a board, and dish an assist for a layup by Julian Strawther, cutting the Nuggets' deficit to 84-81 entering the fourth. The Bucks' victory was sealed when Antetokounmpo and Lillard combined to score the final 10 points, pulling away and coasting to the win. The Denver Nuggets will look to bounce back from this loss, while the Milwaukee Bucks will aim to continue their winning streak. The two teams will meet again on March 26 in Denver.

The game's final score was:

• Denver Nuggets: 112
• Milwaukee Bucks: 121

The Nuggets' player statistics included:

• Nikola Jokic: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists
• Jamal Murray: 20 points
• Christian Braun: double-double
• Michael Porter Jr.: double-double

The Bucks' player statistics included:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: 28 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists
• Brook Lopez: 22 points
• Damian Lillard: 19 points
• Kyle Kuzma: 16 points, 9 rebounds

The Bucks' bench played a crucial role in the game, with several players contributing to the team's victory.

The Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks will meet again on March 26 in Denver, in what promises to be an exciting rematch. The two teams have split their season series each of the past four campaigns, and this year's series is shaping up to be just as competitive. With both teams featuring talented players and strong team chemistry, the upcoming game is sure to be a thrilling matchup.

nugget buck gianni antetokounmpo denver milwaukee trent jokic nikola rebound