Expect a defensive battle when the Denver Nuggets (23-10) challenge the Indiana Pacers (22-12) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020, and can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt.
Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Odds
The Pacers hope to maintain momentum after easily covering the 3.5-point spread against the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game, 115-97. The Nuggets, meanwhile, were blown out by the Houston Rockets, 130-104, and were unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. The Indiana game went 4.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5, while the Denver game finished 9 points over the projected point total of 225.
Indiana dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 5.8 (better than their season average of 11.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.552 (above their season average of 0.523). Philadelphia recorded marks of 10.7 and 0.440, respectively, for those same stats. Denver, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (13.7 vs. 13.0). Indiana was led by Domantas Sabonis, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Monte Morris fueled Denver with 18 points.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Pacers won the most recent matchup 124-88. Indiana’s 0.604 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Denver, who had a rate of 0.392. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Of the Nuggets’ 33 games, 20 have finished under the O/U total. Denver is 23-10 straight up (SU), but they are just 11-17-5 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Denver, Pacers games also tend to finish under the total (55.9 percent). Additionally, Indiana is 22-12 SU and 18-14-2 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams face off. Indiana ranks 21st in possessions per game (101.4) and Denver is 27th (100.4).
Denver Nuggets at Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Denver ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.9) while Indiana ranks 21st (13.9).
- The Nuggets rank third in assists per game (26.5) while the Pacers rank ninth in assists allowed per game (23.4).
- Denver ranks 24th in three pointers attempted per game (30.2) while Indiana ranks 28th (27.9).
- Indiana ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (11.9) while Denver ranks eighth (12.2).
- The Nuggets rank 11th in steals per game (7.9) while the Pacers rank 25th (6.8).
- The Nuggets rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while the Pacers rank sixth (15.6).
- Denver ranks sixth in points in the paint per game (49.2) while Indiana ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.2).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Denver is 10-1 and Indiana is 6-1.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Pacers are 22-6 and the Nuggets are 21-6.
- Denver is 5-7-2 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 10-6-2 ATS at home.
- In 14 road games, the Nuggets have 8 unders and 6 overs.
- Of the Pacers’ 18 home games, they have 10 unders and 8 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Nuggets are 0-4-1.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Denver has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 106.8 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (7.0 above their season average).
- The Nuggets have been outscored by an average of 4.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Denver has defeated opponents by an average of 4.2 points.
