Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
At 10:00 ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (23-15) will travel to take on the Denver Nuggets (26-13) in a Western Conference matchup. The Nuggets are favored by 8.5 points, and the over/under is set at 229.
This game will be played at the Ball Arena in Denver and can be seen on ESPN. The Pelicans (+280) have won two straight and are currently 6th in the West, while the Nuggets (-356) are 3rd in the conference and 3rd in the Northwest Division.
Check out BetCoco for Denver Nuggets – New Orleans Pelicans odds
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last five head to head matchups, the Nuggets have had the upper-hand, going 3-2. The last last three times that the Pelicans have faced off against the Nuggets as the underdog, they are 2-1 vs. the spread.
- When looking at their past five road matchups, New Orleans has an ATS record of 5-0 while averaging 132 per game. The team went 5-0 overall in these games.
- Although Denver has a straight up record of 2-1 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 0-3. The team averaged 114 points per game in these games.
- Through their last five games as the underdog, the Pelicans have an ATS record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 3-2.
- Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Nuggets have gone 4-6 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 7-3.
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
On the road this season, the Pelicans have an average scoring differential of +5.1 points per game. They have won seven straight on the road and have an 11-7 record away from home. In the Western Conference, their road record is 10th.
As the underdog, New Orleans has a straight-up record of 10-7 and an average scoring differential of +1.6 points per game. Today, they are 8.5-point underdogs and have an overall record of 23-15.
Against the spread, the Pelicans have covered in two straight games and have an ATS record of 22-16. Their ATS record as the underdog is 11-6, and they have covered the spread in five straight road games.
New Orleans’ last game was a 141-105 win over the Warriors. They were 2.5-point favorites heading into the game and have been the favorite in each of their last four games. The combined scoring total of 246 points easily went over the O/U line of 234.5.
The Pelicans are one of the NBA’s best offensive teams, averaging 116.4 points per game. They are 11th in scoring and have been better on the road (117.5 PPG) than at home (115.5 PPG).
So far this season, the Pelicans have outscored the NBA scoring average in 52.6% of their games. They have made 48% of their shots, which is 6th in the league.
New Orleans is 19th in pace, averaging 98.5 possessions per game. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 5th in percentage (38%) but have attempted the 28th most threes in the league.
This season, the Pelicans’ defense is the 5th ranked defense in the NBA at 5th PPG. So far, they have held opposing offenses below the NBA scoring average in 68.4% of their games. When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Pelicans squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 55.6% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 33.7% from downtown.
At 26-13, the Nuggets are 3rd in the Western Conference. In non-conference games, they are 10-3 compared to 16-10 vs. other teams in the West.
As for their record at home, the Nuggets are 15-4 and have an average scoring differential of +9.9 points per game. When playing at home, they are 10-8 ATS.
For the season, Denver has been the favorite in all but three of their games. Against the spread, they are 16-19 as the favorite. As the favorite, they have a straight-up record of 25-11.
Denver’s O/U record for the season is 15-23-1. In their last game vs. the Jazz, the teams combined for 235 points, which was lower than the O/U line of 239.
At home, the Nuggets are averaging 120.5 points per game, which is 9th in the NBA. Overall, they are 12th in scoring at 115.9 points per game. In terms of pace, Denver is 29th in the league at 96.7 possessions per game.
Denver’s offense is one of the best in the league when it comes to two-point shooting. They are 2nd in two-point field goals made and 6th in two-point shooting percentage at 55%. However, they are just 22nd in three-point shooting at 37%.
So far this season, the Nuggets have outscored the NBA scoring average in 51.3% of their games. In terms of assists, Denver is 3rd in the league at 29.6 per game.
So far, the Nuggets’ defense is ranked 3rd in the league at 111.0 points per contest. Opponents are hitting 52.5% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 36.3% of their three-point attempts.
Even though they are 8.5 point underdogs, we see the Pelicans winning this game by a score of 116-115.
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Tips
- We like the Pelicans on the moneyline (+280)
- The Pelicans are also our pick on the spread at +8.5
- Projecting a combined 231 points, we like the over
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- Vlatko Cancar – Knee – Out
- Julian Strawther – Knee – Out
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
- CJ McCollum – Ankle – Questionable
- Brandon Ingram – Achilles – Questionable
- Zion Williamson – Quadricep – Questionable
- Trey Murphy III – Knee – Questionable
- Matt Ryan – Elbow – Out
