Denver Nuggets vs Indiana Pacers Prediction: Red-hot Nuggets takes on slumping Pacers

NBA is into the midseason window and this is a period where we see a bunch of trades so the landscape also gets busy at that time. Injuries also play a vital role in this league and sometimes missing just one player can derail the team for a long time. However, some teams have built such depth that they can sustain an injury or two. And one of those deep teams Denver Nuggets will take on the Indiana Pacers.

The Nuggets come into this game after defeating the Timberwolves 122:118 as Nikola Jokic scooped up 31 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. The incredible Nuggets unit has now won eight games in a row and they have won 18 out of their last 21 games to bring their record to 32 wins and 13 losses. They are now at the top of the Western Conference and have displayed one of the most efficient offensive basketball in recent memory. Their wins have been by 10+ points mostly and that is mostly because their defense has improved each month. Jokic has now help from Murray and Porter Jr while having Gordon, Brown, and Caldwell-Pope is a luxury.

The Pacers enter the game after losing 106:126 against the Oklahoma City Thunder despite an 18 points and 7 assets performance by AJ Nembhard. The Pacers have now lost five in a row and these losses have also come due to the absence of Tyrese Haliburton who was distributing 10+ assists and dipping in 20+ points. While the team is blessed with incredible passers like Nembhard and McConnell, with Tyrese out, defenses have had a better time closing out. Their defense has been struggling despite having a prolific shot-blocker Myles Turner. There is a high chance Myles can be moved around the trade deadline considering his open desire to be moved. Even though they have struggled recently, their wealth of Guards makes them a promising unit.

The Nuggets have been unstoppable thus far and they are scoring 120+ like it is their daily business and their percentages from the floor have been awesome. Thus, when a Haliburton-less Pacers, a high-scoring scenario is going to favor them. The Pacers are on a tenuous road trip and their position looks fragile for this game. That is why I back the Nuggets to win this and predict a scoreline of 129:111 in their favor.