What's more, the Bucks entered the Nuggets' game ranked second in the league in fewest points allowed per game at 85.2. Only Boston had allowed fewer points per game at 84.4. Last season, the Bucks surrendered 104 points a game.

So what can the Bucks' defensive improvement be attributed to?

"Scott Skiles," Bucks center Andrew Bogut said. "His defensive principles are very sound and very simple but vary from game to game.

"Obviously, we got some good personnel to go with those principles. But he sticks by those principles through thick and thin."

Skiles said a flurry of moves Bucks' management made during the offseason is a major reason for Bucks being a better defensive unit.

"We got a better commitment from the guys, that's the first thing," Skiles said. "We got a more energetic group, guys who have a lot of energy every day."

Skiles fully realizes the Bucks have to play stellar defense to be competitive, especially with their offense sputtering with high-scoring guard Michael Redd sidelined with a strained patella tendon.

Said Skiles: "You hope it (the good defense) continues because it's a way we can win right now."

BUCKS 108, NUGGETS 102: The Bucks' combination of Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut proved to be too much for the Nuggets Wednesday night at the Bradley Center. Jennings, the Bucks' dynamic rookie point guard, scored a career-high 32 points. He also contributed nine assists. Bogut, the Bucks' veteran center, posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Bogut's runner with 24.7 seconds remaining in the game increased the Bucks' lead to 102-97.