The Bucks just aren’t the same team with Bobby Portis out of the lineup. 

The perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate has quietly become a key cog in how Milwaukee has remained a title contender even as its roster ages around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Portis is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds spanning 46 games this season, but he’s not available for Milwaukee for quite some after being suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for Tramadol. 

The Bucks are 3-1 since he was taken off the court, but that record is about as flimsy as it can get. 

They won two games on their home floor over the Heat and Clippers – hardly the class of the NBA – by single digits. 

In Washington D.C., the Bucks barely escaped with a three-point win over the league-worst Wizards. 

Then, on Tuesday night, they fell to the upstart Rockets. 

In late January and early February, the Bucks imploded while Portis was out for personal reasons, losing five of six games. 

Their only win came against the lowly Jazz, which came just before two of their worst losses of the season, a 13-point setback vs. the Trail Blazers and 26-point blowout against the Spurs. 

On Thursday, they’ll welcome the Nuggets, who have hit their stride in recent weeks.

Denver has won 10 of its last 11 and 22 of their last 29.

For a team with a notoriously tough home-court advantage, a lot of the Nuggets’ success has come on the road. 

The Nuggets’ 18-11 road record is fifth-best in the NBA heading into Wednesday. 

I’m laying the points with the fully healthy – and better – teamThursday night in Milwaukee. 

The play: Nuggets -3.5 (-114, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.