Denver Nuggets Eye Continued Dominance Over Indiana Pacers
The Denver Nuggets, fresh off their 2022/23 NBA championship triumph, are set to face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The action is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET with Denver entering as the favorites by a 5-point margin.
Currently holding a strong 30-14 record, the Nuggets find themselves in third place within the competitive Western Conference. The Pacers, not too far behind in the standings, boast a 24-19 record, positioning them seventh in the Eastern Conference. An intriguing matchup awaits as both teams have had contrasting fortunes recently; Denver has won four out of their last five games, while Indiana has dropped four of their previous five contests.
The total for the upcoming game is set at an over/under (O/U) of 239 points. Despite their recent struggles, the Pacers have shown resilience on their home court, securing victories in five of their last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Conversely, the Nuggets are seeking to capture their third consecutive road win, indicating their comfort in playing away from home.
Recent Performances and Player Updates
Indiana's last outing ended in disappointment as they fell to the Phoenix Suns with a scoreline of 117-110. On the road, the Pacers have found wins harder to come by, with only two successes in their last six attempts. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have been in fine form, clinching seven wins in their last ten games, signaling a team that is hitting its stride as the season progresses.
One standout performance for Denver came from their star center, Nikola Jokic, who tallied an impressive 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists against the Washington Wizards. His consistent output has him ranked 13th in the league for points per game at 26.1 and fourth in both rebounds and assists.
Injury concerns loom for both teams heading into the clash. The Pacers may be without key guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is questionable due to a hamstring issue, while Isaiah Jackson and Andrew Nembhard are also doubtful. For Denver, Vlatko Cancar, Collin Gillespie, Braxton Key, and Julian Strawther will be sidelined, but there is optimism as Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are listed as probable.
Head-to-Head History
History favors the Nuggets in this matchup, as they have emerged victorious in their last seven meetings against the Pacers, including a 117-109 win earlier this month. In that encounter, Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Porter each contributed 25 points, while Aaron Gordon added 20 points to the tally. Notably, Haliburton did not feature in the previous game against Denver, and his potential absence could again be a critical factor.
It's been a challenging stretch for Indiana when facing Denver, with the Pacers having not secured a win against the Nuggets since 2020. Moreover, they've suffered defeats in their last four home games versus the Nuggets, highlighting Denver's recent dominance in this particular matchup.
Betting Insights and Player Impact
Despite Denver's success on the scoreboard, their Against The Spread (ATS) record this season stands at 19-24-1. They've covered the spread in just 44.2% of their games, which drops to 35.7% following a win. Their road ATS record is even less inspiring at 8-15-0. However, with an average margin of victory sitting at five points and considering they're the away favorites, the Nuggets could still cover the spread, which currently sits at -5 (-105 with Bet Rivers).
Conversely, the Pacers have a more favorable ATS record of 24-18-2 for the 2023/24 season, covering 60% of their home games. As home underdogs, their ATS record is an impressive 5-2, suggesting that they could potentially offer value for bettors looking for an upset or a close contest.
Jokic's presence on the court remains a significant advantage for Denver; his ability to score, rebound, and assist makes him a formidable opponent. Alongside him, Murray averages 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, ensuring that the Nuggets have multiple threats on the offensive end. Indiana's recent addition, Pascal Siakam, who joined from the Toronto Raptors, scored 21 points in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers and will be eager to make an impact against the reigning champions.
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