The Indiana Pacers (46-31) and the Denver Nuggets (42-35) go head-to-head at Pepsi Center. The Pacers are a 3.5-point underdog and will try to extend their five-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 215.5 points and it can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Indiana Pacers at Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Nuggets won a close one over the Milwaukee Bucks 128-125, while the Pacers were victorious over the Los Angeles Clippers 111-104.
Indiana dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.186 (above their season average of 0.176) and a turnover percentage of 9.5 (better than their season average of 12.0). Los Angeles had marks of 0.134 and 12.9, respectively, for those same stats. Denver, on the other hand, was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Nuggets made 37 of their 46 free throws (80.4 percent), while the Bucks were 23-27 (85.2 percent). Nikola Jokic played well for Denver, recording 35 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Victor Oladipo, meanwhile fueled Indiana with 30 points, 12 assists and five steals.
It could be a sloppy game for the Denver offense. Denver ranks 24th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.5 percent), while the pesky defense of Indiana forces the second-most turnovers in the NBA (15.1 percent). Also, the Pacers rank 24th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.176), while the Nuggets rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.173).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 45 of their 77 games have finished under the O/U total. Indiana heads into the game with records of 46-31 straight up (SU) and 44-33 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Indiana, a little over half of Nuggets games have finished over the projected point total. Further, Denver owns records of 42-35 SU and 35-39-3 ATS.
The Pacers’ Bojan Bogdanovic has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 19.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Jokic has averaged 22.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists during that same time frame for the Nuggets.
In their first matchup this year, Oladipo led the Pacers to a 126-116 win. He was the game’s leading scorer with 47 points. Indiana covered as a 5-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 242 points, which was well over the projected point total of 217.5. The Pacers’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Nuggets. Indiana had a rate of 9.7, while Denver posted a mark of 17.1.
Indiana Pacers at Denver Nuggets Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 44.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Nuggets rank 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.1).
- Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while Denver ranks 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
- The Pacers rank third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Nuggets rank 20th (8.0).
- Indiana averages 14.6 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Denver ranks 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (13.0).
- Denver ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.9) while Indiana ranks 25th (4.2).
- The Nuggets rank seventh in three pointers attempted per game (30.9) while the Pacers rank 26th (24.5).
- The Nuggets rank third in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Pacers rank 18th (11.9).
- Denver ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while Indiana ranks 13th (42.8).
- Denver ranks fifth in assists per game (25.1) while Indiana ranks 23rd (22.1).
- When allowing under 100 points, Denver is 13-2 and Indiana is 26-3.
- When reaching the century mark, the Pacers are 37-15 and the Nuggets are 36-25.
- Indiana is 21-17 ATS on the road, while Denver is 19-18-1 ATS at home.
- In 38 road games, the Pacers have 22 unders, 15 overs and 1 push.
- The Nuggets have 20 overs and 18 unders in 38 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Nuggets are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Denver has 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 99.8 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
- The Nuggets have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Denver has defeated opponents by an average of 1.2 points.
