Bucks fall to Nuggets 134-123

MILWAUKEE — Nikola Jokic had a triple-double wrapped up in the first half, and the Denver Nuggets put together one of the best 3-point shooting nights in league history in a 134-123 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Denver matched a franchise record with 24 3-pointers, one shy of the NBA record, on 40 attempts.

Jokic finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high 17 assists, reaching a triple-double with 1:54 remaining in the second quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo also recorded a triple-double, finishing with 36 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for his ninth career triple-double, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most in Bucks history.

Gary Harris added 28 points and Jamal Murray had 26 points for the Nuggets, who led by double digits for most of the fourth quarter.

Denver scored 74 points in the first half for its second-highest scoring half of the season. The Nuggets had 82 points in the second half of a 146-114 win over New Orleans on Nov. 17.

It also marked the most points allowed by the Bucks in a half this season.

The Nuggets shot 63.6 percent in the first half, including hitting 13 of 19 attempts from beyond the arc.

Wilson Chandler hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second quarter to put Denver up 38-28. The Bucks answered with a 15-3 run to go up 43-41.

Denver then outscored Milwaukee 33-19 over the final 7:58 of the half.

The Bucks pulled to 83-78 with 5:18 to play in the third quarter, but the Nuggets then used a 12-3 spurt to take control.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Denver's 13 3-pointers in the first half were their most since Feb. 13, 2017, when they connected on 16 in the first half of a 132-110 win over Golden State. . G Torrey Craig missed his second consecutive game with groin and hamstring injuries. . F Kenneth Faried (personal) and G Richard Jefferson (right wrist soreness) were not with the team.

Bucks: C John Henson missed his third consecutive game with right hamstring soreness. Thon Maker started in his place. . Milwaukee had not allowed more than 19 made 3-pointers in a game in franchise history.

UP NEXT

Nuggets: Host San Antonio on Feb. 23.

Bucks: Visit Toronto on Feb. 23.