The Denver Nuggets, crowned as the 2022/23 NBA champions, are set to face off against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET with Denver entering the matchup as the favorites by a 5-point margin.
Nuggets' Dominant Season Continues
Boasting a strong record of 30-14, the Nuggets sit comfortably in third place within the Western Conference. Their recent form has been impressive, having secured victory in four out of their last five outings and looking to extend their road winning streak to three games. Denver's performance this season is reflective of their championship pedigree, with an average margin of victory sitting at five points.
Pacers Facing Uphill Battle
The Indiana Pacers, however, have experienced a more turbulent stretch. With a record of 24-19, they hold the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite their respectable standing, the Pacers have stumbled recently, losing four of their last five games. Nevertheless, they have shown resilience on their home court, winning five out of their last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The team's home performance will be crucial as they attempt to overturn their recent poor record against Denver, having lost the last seven meetings between the two sides.
Indiana's last outing saw them fall short against the Phoenix Suns with a score of 117-110. Moreover, their road performance has been lacking, with only two wins out of their last six games away from home. As they prepare to host the Nuggets, the Pacers will need to break a streak of four consecutive home losses to their upcoming opponents if they hope to improve their standing.
Injury Concerns for Both Teams
The Pacers are potentially facing lineup challenges with Tyrese Haliburton listed as questionable due to a hamstring issue. Isaiah Jackson and Andrew Nembhard are also doubtful for the upcoming clash. For the Nuggets, Vlatko Cancar, Collin Gillespie, Braxton Key, and Julian Strawther are sidelined, while Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are probable to play.
Denver's depth will be tested, yet they have proven capable of overcoming such hurdles, as evidenced by their previous encounter with the Pacers earlier this month, which ended in a 117-109 victory. In that game, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Porter each contributed 25 points, while Aaron Gordon added 20 points to the tally.
Key Players to Watch
Jokic continues to be a central figure for the Nuggets, ranking 13th in the league for points per game with an average of 26.1 and placing fourth for both rebounds and assists. His near triple-double performance against the Washington Wizards, where he racked up 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, is a testament to his impact on the court.
Murray has also been a consistent contributor, averaging 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. On the Pacers' side, Haliburton leads the team in points per game and assists, though his participation remains uncertain. Additionally, Indiana has bolstered their roster with Pascal Siakam, who scored 21 points in his debut after transferring from the Toronto Raptors.
Betting Odds and Statistics
The betting odds from Bet Rivers place the Nuggets at -175 on the moneyline. Despite Denver's less than stellar Against The Spread (ATS) record this season at 19-24-1, covering only 44.2% of their games, there is cautious optimism that they could cover the spread in the upcoming game, given their average margin of victory aligns with the 5-point spread.
After a win, however, Denver's ATS percentage dips to 35.7%, and their road ATS record stands at 8-15-0. As away favorites, the Nuggets have covered just one-third of the time, which may give some bettors pause.
Conversely, the Pacers have a more favorable ATS record for the 2023/24 season at 24-18-2. They have covered 60% of their home games and have an impressive 5-2 record as home underdogs, suggesting they could defy the odds and cover the spread themselves.
As both teams prepare for their head-to-head, the Nuggets look to continue their dominance while the Pacers aim to disrupt Denver's rhythm and secure a much-needed victory. With key players on both squads either returning or questionable for the game, this matchup promises to be an intriguing battle as the regular season progresses.