Strawther’s 20 lift Nuggets past Bucks 102–100**

 Here’s a **clean, rewritten game recap** with smoother flow and tighter wording, keeping all the key details:
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**MILWAUKEE —** Julian Strawther poured in a season-high 20 points as the short-handed Denver Nuggets built a 23-point cushion and narrowly escaped with a 102–100 victory over the struggling Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
Milwaukee stormed back after trailing 86–63 midway through the fourth quarter, closing within 99–97 on a Ryan Rollins 3-pointer with 29.3 seconds left. Tim Hardaway Jr. responded by sinking two free throws, but Rollins hit another 3 to make it a one-point game again with 5.4 seconds remaining. Jalen Pickett made one of two free throws with 4.5 seconds left, and Kyle Kuzma’s desperation heave at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
Rollins scored 21 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as the Bucks dropped their fifth game in six outings. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists before exiting late after appearing hampered by a lower right leg issue.
Denver remained without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, along with Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas. Aaron Gordon scored 13 points before leaving with a right hamstring strain. Hardaway added 17 points and Bruce Brown scored 15 for the Nuggets.
Milwaukee also played shorthanded, missing Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr.
**Up next:** The Nuggets visit Memphis on Sunday, while the Bucks host Dallas.
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