Two of the league’s top five scoring defenses will go at it on Thursday as the Nuggets visit the Pacers. But is a low-scoring game a lock, considering the total has gone OVER in six of the last eight games between these clubs?
- Date/Time: January 2, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV Coverage: Altitude Sports, Fox Sports Indiana
- Sportsbook Odds: Pacers -1.5 | O/U 209.5
- Nuggets vs Pacers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Pacers get the slight edge at home and are favored by 1.5 points vs the Nuggets. Indiana is coming off a strong win vs the Sixers and has been a solid bet at home this season at 15-3 SU and 10-6-2 ATS in 18 home games. The total is also on the low side with both teams bringing strong defenses to the court.
Denver News & Notes
After taking a seven-game winning streak into Christmas Day, Denver has stumbled a little … especially on the defensive end.
The Nuggets had a surprising 112-100 loss at home to New Orleans on Christmas, followed by wins over Memphis and Sacramento in which they surrendered an average of 112.5 points, before giving up a season-high 130 points in a loss to Houston on Tuesday.
It’s an uncharacteristic four-game stretch for a defense that averages just 103.9 points against per game, but also makes sense as Denver has gone 0-4-1 ATS in its last five contests.
The Nuggets, who could be without guard Gary Harris for a third straight game as he’s questionable with a shin injury, won’t exactly be thrilled to see Indiana as their next opponent either: they are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Pacers, while the total has gone OVER in five of their last six visits to Indiana.
Indiana News & Notes
The best way for the Pacers to ring in the new year is with some home cooking, as they’re 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last six games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse — and they’ve lost their last three games on the road.
After sitting out three straight games with a hamstring injury, star Malcolm Brogdon returned on Tuesday but left after just eight minutes due to a back injury. That didn’t faze the Pacers, as they flexed their muscles and whipped the 76ers 115-97 — you guessed it — at home.
Brogdon has officially been listed as doubtful to play against the Nuggets due to his back ailment, so expect leading scorers T.J. Warren and Domantas Sabonis, who had 21 and 23 points against Philadelphia, to continue to carry the load.
Betting Pick: UNDER 209.5
Denver’s defense still ranks second in the NBA, while the Pacers sit fifth. Add in Malcolm Brogdon’s iffy status and I’m expecting a low-scoring affair.
- Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.
- The Nuggets are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The OVER has hit in 5 of the Nuggets’ last 6 games.
