Just like they did going into Boston and taking down the then undefeated-at-home Celtics, the Nuggets will use this game as a measuring stick/statement as the Doc Rivers era begins in Milwaukee.

Denver is primed to win this one. 1) Altitude 2) Aaron Gordon is as good v Yannis as you can be 3) joker.

The Bucks don't match up particularly well with Jokic, and all it takes is on three pointer for this bet to hit. Jokic is one of the most unselfish players in the NBA, and he has a tendency to pass up outside shots to make an extra pass. Still, I expect the two-time MVP to attempt two or three 3-pointers on Monday, and connect on at least one.

Near impossible to win in Denver as it is, and now the Bucks are breaking in another coach tonight in Doc Rivers. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been added to the injury report with an illness and is probable, but if he's less than 100 percent then beating the Nuggets is that much more unlikely.

Doc Rivers is slated to make his debut on the Bucks' bench tonight and the jury remains out on the midseason coaching switch. The first night could also be a bit of an awkward assignment especially considering Milwaukee is at Denver, which powdered the Bucks 129-106 in last year's meeting on March 26 at Ball Arena when the Joker (31 points & 11 boards) got the best of Giannis, also because he got more help from friends (like the 26 points from Jamal Murray). The schedule has broken fortuitously lately for the Bucks, who get no breaks tonight vs. a confident Nuggets bunch that just saw off the Sixers (though minus Joel Embiid) on Saturday. Play Nuggets

It is never pleasant fading a player the caliber of Giannis who is capable of erupting on any given nights for 40+ points regardless of the opponent if he gets stubborn. That being said, this is a big line, a few ticks too high, in a very tough matchup. I believe Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is presently the best on ball defender in the league. Giannis and Gordon have faced off in 20x and Giannis has been held under this line in 18 of those H2H matchups and never exceeded 33 points vs a Gordon led team. Another component I like is Denver playing at the slowest pace in the league and hopefully dictating pace.