Indiana Pacers vs
Denver NuggetsPredictions & Preview

Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets Face Off in Crucial Matchup for Playoff Positioning: Nuggets Favored to Win by Six Points

The upcoming matchup between the Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets on Sunday night highlights two competitive teams vying for playoff positioning. Indiana's recent dominant win against Utah, coupled with Denver's loss to Golden State, sets the stage for an exciting game. The Nuggets have historically had the upper hand in their regular season matchups, including a recent road win against the Pacers. Denver is currently favored to win by six points in the betting lines. It will be interesting to see how these two teams perform as they battle for a crucial victory.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pacers +205 | Nuggets -245
• Spread: Pacers +6 (-110) | Nuggets -6 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 240 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Denver will win straight-up is 71%.

Indiana vs Denver Stats

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers secured their third consecutive victory and ninth win in their last 11 games by defeating the Utah Jazz on the road. They currently hold a record of 46-31 and are in second place in the Central Division, trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers. Indiana has already clinched a playoff spot and displayed strong offensive performance against Utah, shooting 57.3% from the field and 12 of 32 from beyond the arc. Myles Turner led the team with 26 points and seven rebounds in the game. The Pacers rank 7th in scoring offense and 17th in scoring defense in the league this season. Despite injuries to players like Jackson, Siakam, and Sheppard, Indiana continues to rely on key contributors such as Mathurin, Turner, and Siakam. They excel in field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and free throw percentage. Defensive statistics show areas for improvement in field goal percentage allowed and defensive rebounds. For further updates on player availability, stay tuned before tip-off.

Denver Nuggets Analysis

The Denver Nuggets suffered their third straight loss on the road against Golden State, dropping to 47-31 for the season. Despite racing to an early lead, they were unable to maintain it and ultimately fell short. Nikola Jokic led the team with an impressive performance, but turnovers proved to be a crucial factor in the loss. The Nuggets excel in scoring offense and rebounding but struggle defensively. Jamal Murray's availability for upcoming games remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury. In terms of statistics, Denver ranks highly in field goal percentage and offensive assists but struggles with three-point shooting and free throw percentage. Their defense ranks lower in field goal and three-point percentage allowed but fares better in rebounding and defensive assists. The Nuggets have a power ranking of 21 and are third in the league for offense.

Nuggets Look to Rebound Against Pacers Despite Recent Struggles

Recently, Indiana has been performing well, while the Nuggets have experienced a setback with three consecutive losses leading up to this game. Despite their recent struggles, Denver is gradually becoming healthier as the season progresses, but they still need to secure a few wins to avoid the play-in tournament. The Nuggets have a solid home record of 25-14 at the Ball Arena, providing them with an advantage in this matchup. On the other hand, Indiana has struggled on the road this season with an 18-20 record. Despite this, they currently hold a three-game lead over the Pistons for home court advantage in the opening round with five games remaining. Denver is more determined for a win than Indiana, and with Siakam absent, expect Jokic to lead the Nuggets to victory in this game.

Sources: [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ]