Antetokounmpo’s masterclass leads Bucks to 112-95 win over Nuggets

Giannis Antetokounmpo displayed an outstanding performance with 36 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a commanding 112-95 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. The Bucks showcased their enhanced defensive prowess, marking the first time this season that they have held opponents to fewer than 100 points in consecutive games.

Under Coach Rivers, the Bucks have undergone a significant turnaround, losing only one of their last six games, including a recent 113-107 defeat against Denver in Rivers’ debut with Milwaukee. The team has now secured two consecutive wins with an impressive combined margin of 53 points.

This dominant victory over the reigning NBA champions followed the Bucks’ most one-sided triumph of the season, a 120-84 rout of the Charlotte Hornets. Despite Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists for the Nuggets, he lacked sufficient support from teammates on a night marred by injuries. Aaron Gordon contributed 14 points, and Michael Porter Jr. added 11.

Denver faced setbacks with Jamal Murray scoring only three points in 18 minutes before sitting out the second half due to shin splints. Additionally, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played just nine minutes, leaving the game with tightness in his right hamstring, the same issue that had caused him to miss the Nuggets’ previous two games.

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Lillard made a notable contribution with 18 points for the Bucks, while Bobby Portis added 13 before being ejected with 4:54 remaining in the game. Antetokounmpo’s 18 rebounds matched his season high.

This loss marked the Nuggets’ second consecutive defeat, coming off a 135-106 setback against Sacramento three nights earlier, which ended a three-game winning streak for Denver.