The Denver Nuggets, fresh off their 2022/23 NBA championship triumph, are set to face the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday night. The game, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET, sees Denver entering as the favorites with a 5-point advantage.
Nuggets' Impressive Form
With a record of 30-14, the Nuggets hold the third spot in the Western Conference. Their recent form has been commendable, winning four out of their last five games and looking to secure their third consecutive road victory. Denver's performance over the past ten games has been strong, boasting seven wins and demonstrating the depth and quality within their ranks.
Contributing to their impressive run, Nikola Jokic put up an outstanding performance against the Washington Wizards, scoring 42 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. His consistent production has him ranked 13th in points per game at 26.1 and fourth in both rebounds and assists across the league. Jamal Murray also remains a significant threat, averaging 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
Pacers Seeking Redemption
On the other side, the Pacers stand seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 24-19 record. Despite losing four of their last five games, they have maintained a strong presence at home, winning five of their last six at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, Indiana has struggled in recent matchups against Denver, having not secured a win against the Nuggets since 2020 and losing their last four home games to them. In their previous encounter earlier this month, Denver emerged victorious with a score of 117-109.
Adding to Indiana's concerns, Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable due to a hamstring issue. His absence could be significant, given that he leads the team in points per game and assists. Isaiah Jackson and Andrew Nembhard are also doubtful for the upcoming game. On a brighter note, Pascal Siakam, who joined from the Toronto Raptors, scored 21 points in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, showing promise for the Pacers' lineup.
Injury Updates and Probabilities
Denver will miss the services of Vlatko Cancar, Collin Gillespie, Braxton Key, and Julian Strawther due to injuries. However, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, who have been impactful in recent games, are probable to play. Porter Jr., Murray, and Jokic each contributed 25 points in their last meeting with the Pacers, while Aaron Gordon added 20 points, showcasing the Nuggets' offensive firepower.
Betting Odds and Stats
The betting odds favor the Nuggets, with Bet Rivers pricing them at -175 on the moneyline. Despite Denver's less-than-stellar Against The Spread (ATS) record this season at 19-24-1, they cover 44.2% of their games overall. However, it's worth noting that after a win, their ATS percentage drops to 35.7%. As away favorites, Denver covers one-third of the time, and their road ATS record stands at 8-15-0.
Conversely, Indiana boasts a more favorable ATS record for the 2023/24 season at 24-18-2. They cover 60% of their home games and have an impressive 5-2 record as home underdogs. With the total for the game set at O/U 239, bettors might be looking closely at these trends to make their picks.
An interesting point made by analysts is despite Denver's poor ATS performance this season, their average margin of victory aligns with the 5-point spread set for this matchup. This suggests that there's potential for the Nuggets to cover the spread against the Pacers.
Final Thoughts
As the two teams prepare to clash, the Nuggets aim to extend their dominance over the Pacers, seeking their eighth consecutive win in this head-to-head. Meanwhile, Indiana will look to leverage their strong home-court advantage to upset the champions and break their losing streak against Denver. With key players on both sides potentially affecting the outcome, this Tuesday night game promises to be an intriguing battle in the NBA calendar.