DENVER NUGGETS VS. INDIANA PACERS – ODDS & PREDICTIONS FOR JANUARY 23, 2024

Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Latest Basketball News. One of the games on tap from Tuesday’s slate features the Denver Nuggets (30-14 SU, 19-24-1 ATS) taking on the Indiana Pacers (24-20 SU, 24-18-2 ATS).

Here is a look at which team has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

• When: Tuesday, January 23, 2024
  
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
  
• Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  
• Location: Indianapolis, IN
  
• TV: BSIN and ALT

Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers Odds (Via DraftKings)

Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers – Regular Season Stats & Betting Trends

Can The Nuggets Push Their Winning Streak To Three Games?

Denver Nuggets Season Stats:

• Scoring Offense: 115.9 PPG – 14TH       
• Offensive Efficiency: 119.3 points per 100 possessions – 7TH         
• Scoring Defense: 110.9 PPG – 6TH       
• Defensive Efficiency: 114.2 points per 100 possessions – 12TH  

The Denver Nuggets are in a virtual tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second-best record in the Western Conference. They are 7-3 in their last 10 contests and have posted wins in each of their last two games.

This includes a 113-104 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. Nikola Jokic set the tone for the Nuggets, finishing with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. In addition to two blocks and two steals, the former MVP shot an efficient 15-for-20 from the floor. 

“Nikola was phenomenal tonight from beginning to end,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said via ESPN. “He continues to illustrate why he’s the player that he is.”

Jamal Murray added 19 points, seven assists, and five boards, while Aaron Gordon contributed 19 points and five rebounds.

Denver hopes to continue its success against a Pacers team that has dropped four of its last five games. 

Can The Pacers Snap Their Two-Game Losing Streak Against The Defending Champions?

Indiana Pacers Season Stats:

• Scoring Offense: 125.0 PPG – 1ST    
• Offensive Efficiency: 121.7 points per 100 possessions – 1ST       
• Scoring Defense: 123.1 PPG – 29TH       
• Defensive Efficiency: 119.8 points per 100 possessions – 26TH    

Early on, the Pacers were one of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference. They now find themselves in the No. 7 spot in the conference playoff race. They have split their last 10 outings and enter this matchup amid a two-game losing skid.

This includes a 117-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Buddy Hield spearheaded the Pacers scoring attack with 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while Myles Turner added 12 points and two rebounds. 

Tyrese Haliburton sat out for the sixth time in the team’s last seven games due to a hamstring injury. If he is not able to suit up against the Nuggets, Indiana does not have much of a chance to win this game. 

Now that we have set the table for this matchup, let us closely examine the all-important betting trends for both sides.

The Picks

The Spread

The Clippers opened at a 3.5-point favorite. At the time of this writing, the line has not moved.

Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season. 

• The Nuggets are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games overall.
• In its last six road contests, Denver is 1-5 against the spread.
• The Pacers are 10-3-2 ATS in their last 15 games.
• Indiana is a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven games.
• In the Pacers’ last seven home games that they played on a Tuesday, they are 5-2 against the spread.

Based on these trends, going with the home team to cover the spread seems like the best option. However, with Haliburton listed as questionable, I would strongly suggest going with the Nuggets to cover the spread in this matchup. 

Prediction: Denver Nuggets (-3.5)

Over/Under

The projected over/under total for this matchup opened at 241.5 points. The line recently moved to 242.5 points (via pre-game.com). Here is why going with the “OVER” is the smart choice. 

• The total has gone OVER seven times in the Nuggets’ last eight road games against Indiana.
• The OVER total has hit eight times in Denver’s last 12 games it played on a Tuesday.
• In the Pacers’ last 17 games against Denver, the OVER total won 12 times.

Prediction: OVER 242.5 points

Player Prop Bets

The key player to watch for the road team is Nikola Jokic. He currently has -120 odds of scoring more than 28.5 points and -110 odds of finishing with less than 28.5 points (Via DraftKings). Here is a closer look at how his numbers compare to the projected points total for this matchup. 

• On the season, Jokic is averaging 26.1 points per outing. 
• In 22 road games, he is averaging 26.5 PPG.
• Jokic has played against Eastern Conference teams 17 times this season. In those contests, he is averaging 23.1 points per outing.
• In six matchups against Central Division teams, he is averaging 14.7 PPG.
• Over his last 10 games, Jokic is averaging 26.0 points per game, exceeding the points total for this matchup four times during that stretch.

Going with the “under” for Jokic is the best option based on the above trends.

Prediction: Nikola Jokic UNDER 28.5 points

The player to watch for the home team is Myles Turner. He currently has -120 odds of scoring more than 15.5 points and -110 odds of scoring less than 15.5 points. Let’s see how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup. 

• On the season, Turner is averaging 17.3 points per outing. 
• In 18 home games, he is averaging 18.3 PPG.
• Turner has played against Western Conference teams 11 times this season. In those contests, he is averaging 16.0 points per outing.
• In six matchups against Northwest Division teams, Turner is averaging 16.3 PPG.
• Over his last 10 outings, he is averaging 16.8 points per outing, exceeding the projected points total for this matchup five times during that stretch. 

Given the above trends, going with the “over” for Turner is the best option.

Prediction: Myles Turner OVER 15.5 points

James’s Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers

• The Spread: Denver Nuggets (-3.5)
• Over/Under: Over 242.5 points
• Player Prop Bet #1: Nikola Jokic Under 28.5 points.
• Player Prop Bet #2: Myles Turner Over 15.5 points.