Milwaukee (32-24) improved to 9-2 under interim coach Joe Prunty after a 97-92 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday night. All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and also powered a decisive 8-0 fourth-quarter spurt with two baskets and a blocked shot.
Khris Middleton had a team-high 21 points as the Bucks had five players in double figures and improved to 5-0 at home since Prunty replaced Jason Kidd. Prunty has gotten Milwaukee to buy in defensively as they have held their last four opponents at home to 92.0 points per game on 39.9 percent shooting, including 22.5 percent from 3-point range.
Denver are also playing well of late and defeated San Antonio 117-109 on Tuesday night for their fifth win in the last six games. Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season and Will Barton added 20 points and six assists for the Nuggets (31-26), who have averaged 117.8 points in that stretch while shooting 49.8 percent.
The Nuggets are fourth in the league in points in the paint with 48.7 per contest, but they have upped that rate to 52.3 in the last six games. Their 64 against the Spurs tied for the second-highest total they've had this season, but Denver are just 5-4 when they score 60 or more in the paint.
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