The Denver Nuggets try to continue their record-setting road pace against the Indiana Pacers
March 30, 2022
Nuggets at Pacers
Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
7:00 PM ET
Denver -9.5
The Nuggets have a lot to play for in their remaining six games. And not just in the standings.
Granted, one look at the race in the Western Conference shows that they can’t afford many missteps. Denver is currently sitting in the No. 6 spot, two games ahead of Minnesota in the chase to avoid the play-in game.
But the Nuggets are tied with Utah, which lost last night to the Clippers. Thus, a win tonight would jump them ahead of the Jazz into the fifth seed, which would help them avoid the Warriors in round one. Plus, Denver is just two games back of Dallas for the No. 4 spot, which comes with home-court advantage in round one.
In other words, every game is big for the Nuggets down the stretch. They can’t afford to drop one to a 25-51 team, even on the road.
That’s where Denver has played its best basketball. The Nuggets have won a franchise-record 23 games away from the Mile High City this season. That’s one more than they’ve won at Ball Arena on the year.
They have a great opportunity to build upon that total, as the Pacers are reeling. Indiana has lost four-straight games, including a 30-point loss to Memphis and a 40-point drubbing in Toronto. They look like a team that is thinking about tee times, not tipoff.
The game is also big for Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets big man is trying to capture his second-consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award. He’s been carrying his team all season, as Denver has been without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. And he’s finishing strong. In his last game, Jokic had 26 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists to lead his team to a win at Charlotte.
Expect more solid road play from Denver. And watch for Jokic to continue his torrid pace.
Jason Schlefsky’s Pick: Denver -9.5 (-110)
Wednesday’s NBA Quick Picks
Boston -5.0 (-110)
Toronto -3.0 (-110)
Warriors +6.0 (-110)
Tuesday’s NBA Winners
Dallas -12.0 (-110)
Milwaukee -1.5 (-110)
Chicago -3.5 (-110)
L.A. Clippers +1.0 (-110)
