Monday night at Ball Arena, two of the best players in basketball history squared off against one of the most successful teams in recent memory, and the Denver Nuggets prevailed 113-107 over the Milwaukee Bucks.

The clash included two MVPs from the regular season and one from the NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee and Nikola Jokić of Denver, but it was a close, back-and-forth contest that could easily be referred to as a championship preview.

Unfortunately, Denver (33-15) made a few more plays in the closing minutes to secure it, including clutch jumpers from Jamal Murray and an Aaron Gordon block on a Damian Lillard layup late. Milwaukee (32-15) was playing for the first time under Doc Rivers’ coaching staff.

Antetokounmpo and Jokić had to work hard for their offensive success due to the strong team defense, and the Bucks’ defensive fouling (six in a five-minute period) and inability to convert after taking a nineteen-point lead with eight minutes remaining decided the game’s outcome.

The Bucks mounted a legendary defensive effort to stay in the game right up to the very end. Brook Lopez and Antetokounmpo’s two three-pointers were the only field goals Milwaukee attempted after that.

Denver’s defense was equally strong, allowing only 18 points from Lillard on 5 of 13 shots and just 5 from Malik Beasley on 2 of 9 shots.

The Bucks did an excellent job against Jokić despite his final 25-point, 16-rebound, and 12-assist triple-double. Jokić was only able to make 10 of his 25 shots and five attempts at free throws; most of the fault fell on Lopez, who was followed in blame by Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and other double teams.

Antetokounmpo scored 29 points on 11 of 19 shots, demonstrating his inability to find many weaknesses in the Nuggets defense. He contributed four assists and 12 rebounds.

Both teams’ benches struggle

Bobby Portis missed his first nine attempts at the basket and didn’t hit his first basket until 9 minutes and 39 seconds into the third quarter. Additionally, Cameron Payne made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.

The Bucks’ four-man bench unit’s field goals, which were only their third and fourth overall, helped them overcome a nine-point disadvantage and tie the game. Merely 5 of 20 overall and 5 of 13 from beyond the three-point arc for 22 points were scored by the second group.

The four players on Denver’s bench combined for 20 points on 8 of 15 shots.

Reggie Jackson led the Nuggets bench with nine points and five assists, while Portis finished with nine points and twelve rebounds.