Nuggets Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Pacers
The Denver Nuggets, reigning NBA champions from the 2022/23 season, are set to face off against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The contest is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Denver entering as the favorites by a five-point margin.
Currently, the Nuggets boast a strong 30-14 record, securing them the third spot in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Pacers hold a 24-19 tally, placing them seventh in the Eastern Conference. The over/under (O/U) for the game is set at 239 points.
Despite their recent slump—losing four of their last five games—the Pacers have demonstrated resilience on their home court, winning five out of six at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. In contrast, the Nuggets arrive in Indianapolis with momentum, having won four of their previous five matchups and aiming for their third consecutive road victory.
In their most recent outing, the Pacers suffered a defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns, with a final score of 117-110. On the road, Indiana has found success in only two of their last six games. Denver, on the other hand, has been more consistent, celebrating victories in seven of their last ten contests. Notably, the Los Angeles Clippers have matched this level of performance with an 8-2 record over their past ten games.
Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets' star center, recently put up an impressive performance against the Washington Wizards, racking up 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. However, the Pacers may be without key player Tyrese Haliburton, who is questionable for the upcoming game due to a hamstring issue. Indiana could also miss the contributions of Isaiah Jackson and Andrew Nembhard, both listed as doubtful.
Denver will not be at full strength either, with Vlatko Cancar, Collin Gillespie, Braxton Key, and Julian Strawther sidelined for the matchup. On a brighter note, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are probable to play, which should bolster the Nuggets' lineup.
Earlier this month, Denver emerged victorious over Indiana with a 117-109 win. During that encounter, Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Porter each contributed 25 points, while Aaron Gordon added 20 points. Haliburton did not participate in the previous game against Denver, which could have influenced the outcome.
History seems to favor the Nuggets, as they have defeated the Pacers in their last seven meetings. Furthermore, Indiana has not managed to overcome Denver since 2020, including losing their last four home games against them.
From a betting perspective, Bet Rivers lists the Nuggets at -175 on the moneyline. Denver's Against The Spread (ATS) record this season stands at 19-24-1, translating to a cover percentage of 44.2%. Their ATS performance dips to 35.7% following a win and their road ATS record is 8-15-0. Despite these statistics, Denver's average margin of victory being five points suggests they have the potential to cover the spread in the upcoming game.
On the flip side, Indiana's ATS record for the 2023/24 season is a more favorable 24-18-2. They cover 60% of their home games and possess a solid 5-2 record as home underdogs.
Jokic ranks 13th in the league for points per game with an average of 26.1 and is fourth for both rebounds and assists. Murray is also a significant contributor, averaging 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. For the Pacers, Haliburton leads the team in points per game and assists.
Pascal Siakam, having joined Indiana from the Toronto Raptors, scored 21 points in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, indicating his potential impact on the team's performance moving forward.
"Denver have been poor ATS this season, but their average 5-point margin of victory means they could cover here," one analyst remarked. With Jokic's dominance and Murray's consistent output, plus valuable contributions from players like Porter and Gordon, the Nuggets have shown they can score effectively from various positions on the floor.
As the teams prepare for their showdown, all eyes will be on whether the Nuggets can extend their winning streak against the Pacers or if Indiana will leverage their home-court advantage to snap their unfavorable history with Denver.
