GAME REPORT

THREE TAKEAWAYS

1. Nuggets coach Michael Malone was ready for the Denver media when it gave him this test before he made his pregame comments. How do you spell Giannis’ last name? Malone’s answer: “F-R-E-A-K.”

2. Denver shot 54.2% in the first half (26 of 48) and converted 13 of 15 free-throw attempts. The Nuggets got a huge boost from rookie Jamal Murray, who went 5 for 5 from the field and 3 of 3 at the line for 14 points in 9 first-half minutes.

3. John Henson responded after getting his starting spot back. The Bucks center finished with 16 points, five rebounds and three blocks. UP NEXT Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (21-28) vs. Phoenix Suns (15-34 entering Friday). When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

About the Suns: Point guard Eric Bledsoe has been red-hot, scoring 41 points against the Nuggets and matching that total in the Suns’ 124-114 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Bledsoe had three 40-point games in an 11-day span. Former Bucks guard Brandon Knight was 2 for 15 in his last three games, entering Friday’s road matchup against Sacramento. Knight played just 8 minutes and was scoreless against the Clippers as the Suns lost their fifth straight game. Another former Bucks player, Jared Dudley, is in his second stint with the Suns. He is averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 32 games. Phoenix leads the all-time series with Milwaukee, 69-67.