Pacers, Nuggets both emerge as betting favorites to win series after Game 4 wins

Thanks to decisive Game 3 and Game 4 wins to tie their respective series’, both the Pacers and the Nuggets have eclipsed their opponents, the Knicks and the Timberwolves as favorites in the series. The Pacers’ odds are at -132 for the series compared to the Knicks at +108, while the Nuggets are at -176 compared to the Timberwolves at +142. These shifts in odds are due to several different factors overall, and some are different from each other too.

These are the two most entertaining series in the playoffs so far and each one is very different. The Knicks and Pacers series has been marred by injuries, but is also a series all about the difference in styles with the Knicks being very defensively focused, while the Pacers are all about their offense. On the other side, the Timberwolves are an emerging team led by their defense, trying to knock off the defending champions.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks

The Knicks have lost their hold on the series due to injuries. They are in the playoffs without Julius Randle and Bojan Bogandovic already, and then will not have Mitchell Robinson for the rest of the playoffs and OG Anunoby for at least a game, maybe two. Jalen Brunson is also injured but needs to play for the Knicks to even have a chance in any series, not just this one.

The injuries have hurt, on top of the fact that the Pacers are young and have depth and then they also like to get out and run, which also has not helped an injury-riddled team like the Knicks. The Pacers seemingly have taken control and have a chance to deliver the final blows in the upcoming games.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets’ odds have shifted mainly because they woke up and seem like they figured out the Timberwolves and their defense. As the defending champions, they have the biggest target on their back and the Timberwolves shocked them in the first two games. The Nuggets seemingly woke up and bounced back with two convincing wins on the road in Minnesota.

Nikola Jokic’s and Jamal Murray’s plays speak for themselves, but the supporting cast has been the difference these last two games with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon leading the way and taking pressure off their stars. The odds have shifted back in the Nuggets’ favor because with these last two games, it seems like the Nuggets are back and even if the Timberwolves take this series to seven games, the Nuggets get the benefit of the doubt as the defending champions.

What’s Next for Pacers & Nuggets?

The Pacers-Knicks series seems destined to go seven games. These two teams are playing very well and the home teams have won and held steady in each game. The injuries on the Knicks are not going to help when it comes to trying to close things out, but the two games at Madison Square Garden are a great equalizer. Despite the series moving in favor of the Pacers at -132, there is still value in taking the Knicks based on how this series has played out so far, so keep an eye on their series price because it currently sits at +108.

The Timberwolves-Nuggets series is an interesting one because the Timberwolves looked so good in the first two games, but there was such a switch in the last two with Denver evening things up, that this series feels more over than the Pacers-Knicks. It feels like the Nuggets have just figured it out and are awake. There is not much value at -176 for the Nuggets, but it makes sense and makes sense that the Timberwolves are then +142 in the series. It would not be surprising if the Nuggets won the next two after the way they looked recently and they get two of the next three at home.

Click Here for more betting news & predictions