Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers - 1/2/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Indiana Pacers

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2020

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: Fox Sports Indiana

Odds/Point Spread: Indiana -1

Total/Over-Under: 218

Bankers Life Fieldhouse is the venue where T.J. Warren and the Indiana Pacers (22-12, 2nd in the Central Division) will play the Denver Nuggets (23-10, 1st in the Northwest Division) on Thursday. Denver opens this contest as 1 point underdogs. The total is set at 218.

The Nuggets are covering the spread 41.4% of the time, having gone 12-17-4 ATS. Indiana is covering 57.6% of the time, going 19-14-1 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/31/2020 Gary Harris SG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Jan 2

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/31/2020 Malcolm Brogdon PG Back Game Time Decision
12/30/2020 Naz Mitrou-Long SG Ankle Expected to be out until at least Jan 3
12/25/2020 Victor Oladipo SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 27

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray comes into this game averaging 17.1 points per contest while playing 31.9 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 91%. Nikola Jokic averages 18.1 points per contest in 31.2 minutes per game. He averages 6.7 assists per game and 9.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

T.J. Warren scores 17.8 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.6 rebounds per contest and has 1.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Domantas Sabonis averages 17.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 13.3 rebounds per game and has 4.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 108.2 points per contest, which is 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 14th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 45.1 boards per contest and 26.5 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 23rd with 13.9 per game. The Nuggets allow 103.9 points per contest, which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 8th, and they allow 23.9 assists per game which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana is 18th in the NBA with 109.1 points per contest this season. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.65. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 7th in the league. They are 21st in the NBA in rebounding with 44.0 boards per contest and 8th in assists per game with 25.5. The Pacers are 28th in turnovers per contest with 13.2. The Pacers give up 105.4 points per game, which ranks them 5th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 6th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 23.4 dimes allowed per game and 14th with 45.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Pacers are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110, and their defensive rating of 105.7 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Denver is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 27th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA. The Pacers are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 105.7, and their offensive rating of 109.4 is ranked 8th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 17th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Pacers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Indiana -1

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