Pick of the week: Defensive weakness dooms the Bucks against Jokic and the Nuggets

Kyler Gilliam, contributing writer 

The Denver Nuggets face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 12.

I predict the Nuggets will go on the road and beat the Bucks due to their balanced offensive and defensive attack, and the Bucks’ concerning defense and new mid-season hire at head coach.

The Nuggets are fourth in the NBA in points allowed per game with 110.6 and have the eighth-best point differential in the league with a 4.1 average point differential per game, according to ESPN.

Two-time most valuable player Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets in points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game, according to ESPN. Jokic’s presence will put the Nuggets over the edge. His facilitating from inside the arc will give the Nuggets wing players opportunities at the rim and behind the arc.

The Nuggets limit mistakes and take care of the ball, as they average 12.5 turnovers per game, the second least in the league, according to ESPN. And to their advantage, the Bucks are the second-worst team in forcing turnovers, according to ESPN.

The Bucks also have some new blood with new head coach Doc Rivers. The Bucks hired the former Philadelphia 76er head coach on Jan. 23 after the firing of first-year head coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games and a 30-13 record, according to ESPN.

A new coach being introduced midseason can cause an adjustment period, and it takes time for the team and new coach to acclimate with each other. 

Rivers’ first game with the Bucks was against the Nuggets, which saw the Nuggets winning 113-107. The Nuggets were guided by a 35-point performance by guard Jamal Murray and a 25-point-triple-double from Jokic. 

I expect the same growing pains from Rivers and the Bucks to continue, especially against a legitimate title contender like the Nuggets. 

This matchup favors the Nuggets due to their consistency and mistake-free basketball this season. That’s why they are my pick to win.