Nuggets 134, Bucks 123: Denver sets franchise record with 24 three-pointers

The Milwaukee Bucks are going to need a week off after getting run off the floor by the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

The Nuggets made a franchise-record 24 three-pointers and center Nikola Jokic filled the stat sheet in a 134-123 victory over the Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in the teams' final game before the NBA All-Star Game break. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo, an all-star starter for the second straight season, finished with 36 points to lead the Bucks. He also added 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his ninth career triple-double, moving past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in franchise history.

“It would be a lot better if we won the game and be in the fourth spot (in the Eastern Conference)," Antetokounmpo said. "But at the end of the day, we have a break here. We got to take care of our bodies, come back and win games.”

BOX SCORE: Nuggets 134, Bucks 123

The Nuggets' 24 threes were one short of the NBA record set by the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

"Obviously a lot of their offense starts with Jokic," Bucks interim coach Joe Prunty said. "Just his ability to move the ball and find people. But when you have seven guys make 2 threes or more and all starters three or more, you have multiple problems out there."  

The Nuggets came out of the gates hot, shooting 13 of 20 (65%) in the first quarter. Will Barton (13) and Gary Harris (14) combined for 27 of Denver's 35 points. 

The Bucks recovered to take their first lead at 45-43 after an Antetokounmpo jumper with 6:36 left in the second quarter.

But the Nuggets responded with a 15-2 run and took a 74-62 advantage into intermission.

Jokic had piled up a triple-double by halftime with 16 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. He reached the triple-double in 14 minutes, 33 seconds, the fastest anyone has gotten there in NBA history. The previous record was 17 minutes in 1955 by Jim Tucker of the Syracuse Nationals.

He finished with 30 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds. It is his fifth triple-double this season and fourth since Jan. 27.

"We had some coverages - we double-team him in the post one time and he makes the perfect pass right to a cutter right at the basket," Prunty said. "Our rotations weren't where they needed to be. That's a credit to their team with their cutting and him with his skill set. 

"He's that talented. And if people weren't aware of that, they certainly are now. This isn't just us, it's how good he is and the plays he's capable of making."

The Nuggets shot 13 of 19 (68.4%) on three-pointers in the first half. That was the most threes they have made in a half this season. 

They finished 24 of 40 (60%) from beyond the arc. 

"It's just one of those nights where, for some reason, we couldn't get it right," Bucks guard Khris Middleton said. "(We) kept giving them three-ball after three-ball."

Denver's 74 points in the first half also were the most allowed by Milwaukee in a half this season.

The Bucks scratched back to within 78-74 with 7:12 left in the third quarter. 

The Nuggets, however, turned up the offensive heat again and went into the fourth quarter with a 107-88 lead.

Denver made 7 of 11 from beyond the arc in the third quarter.

Nuggets guard Devin Harris then opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with - what else? - a three-pointer and the Bucks could only get within nine points in the waning minutes. 

The Bucks head into the all-star break after an eventful few months.

Jason Kidd was fired as head coach in January and the team has dealt with injuries to guards Matthew Dellavedova (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (quad) while Mirza Teletovic is out indefinitely with a pulmonary embolism.

The team also had some good news over the last few months, getting a shot in the arm by acquiring Bledsoe in a November trade and seeing Parker return on Feb. 2 after his ACL tear last season.

"The mind-set won't change," Prunty said of the all-star break. "As soon as you get back, you have to be ready to work and get better each day and get ready for that opponent."

The Bucks are 9-3 under Prunty.

“We just have to keep playing good basketball,"  Antetokounmpo. said "Playing together. Have confidence in our team and just win games. That’s what we’ve been doing in the last (few) games and that’s what we’ll keep doing when we come back.”

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE

Prunty elicited laughter when he was asked if he watched the All-Star Game.

"Uh, sometimes," he said after a pause. "Yeah, I mean it depends. I've been to multiple games. There's times where I've not seen the entire game and only seen parts, but yeah."

Prunty was also coy about his plans for the break.

"That's top secret," he said to more laughter.

UP NEXT

Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (32-25) at Toronto Raptors (41-16).

When: 6:30 p.m. Feb 23.

Where: Air Canada Centre.

About the Raptors: After the all-star break, the Bucks return to action north of the border. Toronto has won the first two matchups this season. Overall the Raptors have won 15 of the last 17 games in the season. DerMar DeRozan scored 52 points in the Raptors' 131-127 victory over the Bucks on Jan. 1. He had 20 in Toronto's 129-110 win on Jan. 5.