HomeNBANBA PredictionsDenver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, Odds and Picks

Denver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/23/26

Updated: 11:53 AM ET Jan 23, 2026

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Nuggets

9:40 PM ETToday

Bucks

WWLLW	Last 5	LLLWL
30-15	Record	18-25
25-19-0	ATS Record	19-23-0
27-17	O/U Record	14-28

Nuggets vs Bucks Pickswise Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick

DEN Nuggets +6.5(-110)

Reasoning

The absence of Nikola Jokic is starting to catch up with the Nuggets, who have now dropped 2 games in a row — with their offense really struggling to get into the flow of things. Another tough matchup awaits them on Friday, when they take on the desperate Bucks on the road. Denver narrowly edged out Milwaukee in the first meeting by 4 points despite being without 3 key starters, including Jokic and Jamal Murray. They have generally been reliable in road games this season, covering 15 times in 24 outings. Oddly enough, they have recorded 5 more road wins than home wins this season overall.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Bucks find themselves in a rut with just 1 win in 5 outings, and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is disgruntled. Some analysts have gone far as saying it’s only a matter of time these 2 are separated with a trade. After seeing the home crowd boo Giannis last week, that scenario would hardly surprise anyone. Losing by 20 in their last game to the Thunder only further solidified that this team isn’t exactly a playoff contender as currently constructed. After more than half of the games played in the regular season, the Bucks find themselves not even in the play-in tournament — currently occupying the 11th seed.

Oddsmakers have been generous toward the Nuggets over the past several weeks in terms of setting the spread. Jokic’s absence is a big deal. On any given night the Nuggets can fall apart offensively without their charismatic big man. Despite that, though, I still feel like they are in with a chance to beat the dysfunctional Bucks. Let’s go with the road squad and the extra points.

Nuggets vs Bucks prediction: Denver +6.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Show Bio

Long-time NBA fan, following the game closely for 21 years now. Joined the Pickswise writing staff for the 2020-21 season and have given out winning picks since. Hopefully we can make some money together! Oh, and I firmly believe Lebron James is not one of the two best basketball players of all time. Yeah, I said it. For Filip Tomic media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.

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Point Spread

The Nuggets have covered in 25 of their 44 games this season.

Money Line

The Nuggets have won 5 of their last 7 road games, while the Bucks have lost 5 in 7 at home.

Game Totals

Each of the Bucks' last 3 home games against the Nuggets have stayed under the Total.

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