| MATCHUP | Denver Nuggets | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 26-13 | 9-32 |
| Spread | -2.5 -105 | +2.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | -135 | +114 |
| Total | Over 233.5 (-110) | Under 233.5 (-110) |
| Where | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA | |
| When | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | GCSEN | |
The Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Bucks, lost to the Hawks, and they play the Mavs next. The Nuggets have won 3 of their last 4 games.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging 122.7 points on 50.2 percent shooting and allowing 117.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.6 points and 12.2 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 25.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is the third double-digit scorer, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 40.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Magic, beat the Wizards, and they play the Nets next. The Pelicans have lost 10 of their last 11 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.9 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 122.4 points on 48.8 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.8 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jordan Poole is the third double-digit scorer and Saddiq Bey is dishing 2.3 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Nuggets have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
- The home team has won seven of the last nine games between the Nuggets and Pelicans.
- The home team has covered the spread in 13 of the last 14 games between the Nuggets and Pelicans.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as road favorites after winning as underdogs.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Pelicans have lost 23 of their last 24 games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last seven road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Pelicans.
- The favorites have covered the spread in 10 of the Pelicans’ last 11 games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last seven games as home underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the Nuggets’ last 10 night games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Saddiq Bey.
Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tamar Bates are out for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is questionable.
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
This line is what it is because of the Nuggets’ injury situation, but Aaron Gordon is expected to return, so there’s a chance they’ll be healthier than they’ve been in the past. The Pelicans haven’t given us much over the last few weeks, losing 10 of their last 11 games and failing to cover 8 of their last 10 games. The Nuggets have found ways to win 3 of their last 4 games, staying afloat despite all of these banged up bodies. This line is soft given how horrible the Pelicans have been lately. I’ll lay the bucket with the Nuggets.