Pacers at Nuggets: What Bettors Need to Know
Covers.com
Indiana Pacers at Denver Nuggets (-5.5, 194.5)
The Denver Nuggets are expected to be one of the NBA's most dangerous teams over the next ten days. That doesn't bode well for the Indiana Pacers, who wrap up a four-game road trip against a Nuggets team that has been devastating in its own arena. Denver improved to 17-3 at home with a 121-93 trouncing of the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. It was the first of a six-game homestand for Denver, which boasts the league's best rebounding totals and one of its highest-scoring offenses.
The Pacers have had defensive prowess on their side for most of the season, but it has abandoned them of late. Indiana has surrendered at least 100 points in back-to-back games after holding teams to double digits in its previous 12 contests. A fourth-quarter rally gave way to a listless overtime period last time out as the Pacers dropped a 114-110 decision to the Utah Jazz. It's the second of two meetings between the clubs this season, with Denver prevailing 92-89 in their first encounter Dec. 7.
ABOUT THE PACERS (26-18): It's easy to see what Indiana coach Frank Vogel thinks his team needs to improve upon moving forward. "We have to tighten the screws on defense,'' he said following the loss to Utah. "We put 90 percent of our emphasis into riding the ship on the offensive end (Saturday). You reach a point where you realize you have to tighten the screws. It's tough to beat good teams in their buildings when you aren't tied together on defense.'' Even with an improved defensive effort, the Pacers will be in tough at the Pepsi Center, having dropped six of their last seven games there.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (27-18): Denver may not be able to match Indiana's defensive intensity, but it won't need to if it continues to score at will. The Nuggets have averaged nearly 116 points during their three-game winning streak to move into fourth in the league at 103.6 for the season. Two of the teams ahead of them - Oklahoma City and Houston - were outgunned by the Nuggets during the streak, which could continue to grow with Denver hosting the Pacers, Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls before hitting the road for four in a row beginning Feb. 9.
TRENDS:
* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Denver.
* Over is 5-0 in Nuggets’ last five home games.
* Nuggets are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 vs. NBA Central foes.
* Pacers are 1-7 ATS in their last eight road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Nuggets have lost six games when leading after the third quarter, the second-most in the Western Conference.
2. Denver's 71 first-half points against Sacramento set a season high.
3. Indiana has allowed 100 or more points eight times, the fewest in the East.
NBA Point Spreads and Betting Guide
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
The most intriguing matchup on today’s NBA schedule is between two Western Conference foes hanging on to playoff position. The Jazz (24-20) and Rockets (24-22) would both be in the playoffs as the seventh and eighth seeds, respectively, if the season ended today.
The Rockets have a one-game lead on the Blazers (22-22), and a more comfortable four-game lead on the Lakers (19-25). With last night’s win against the Thunder (34-11), however, Kobe Bryant and Co. may be ready to make a legitimate run at that final playoff invitation.
Playing on the road in Salt Lake City, where the Jazz are 15-4, is always a tough task for visiting teams. Tonight will pose a similar challenge for the Rockets.
NBA trends:
* The Warriors have covered their last four games against Atlantic Division teams. The Raptors have covered only four of their last 14 games against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or higher. The Warriors have covered 13 of the last 16 meetings with the raptors.
* The Kings have covered only once in their last 11 games. The Wizards have covered their last six home games. The Wizards have gone OVER the total in their last five home games against teams with a losing record.
* The Grizzlies have covered five of their last seven road games. The 76ers have covered four of their last five home games. The Grizzlies have gone UNDER the total in 20 of their last 26 games against Eastern Conference teams.
* The Magic have covered their past eight road games against teams with a winning home record, however, they have failed to cover their last five games overall. The Nets have gone 3-0-1 ATS in their last four against teams with a losing record. The Magic have gone OVER the total in 16 of their last 21 games.
* The Bobcats have covered four of their last six road games. The Bulls have covered only seven of their last 25 home games. The road team has covered in the last five meetings between the Bulls and Bobcats. The Bulls have gone UNDER in 19 of their last 26 home games.
* The Pacers have covered only once in their last eight games against teams with a winning home record. The Nuggets have covered 14 of their last 17 games against Central Division teams. The Pacers have stayed UNDER the total in 11 of their past 14 games.
* The Rockets have failed to cover their last five road games against teams with a winning home record. The Jazz have covered six of their last seven home games. The Rockets and Jazz have stayed UNDER the total in four of their last five meetings.
NBA injuries:
* Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (back) is questionable tonight.
* Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (ankle) is questionable tonight.
* Magic guard Aaron Afflalo (calf) is questionable tonight.
* Nets guard Deron Williams (leg) is probable.
* Bulls forward Luol Deng (hamstring) has missed his last five games and is questionable tonight.
* Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (shoulder) is questionable tonight.