Denver Nuggets (31-19) vs New Orleans Pelicans (12-38)
Game Info: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 9:00 pm (Ball Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets -10.5 — Over/Under: 239.5
The New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Ball Arena. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Celtics and Nuggets, and they play the Kings, Thunder, and Mavs next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 109.8 points on 44.6 percent shooting and allowing 118.1 points on 48.3 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 23.6 points and 8.2 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. Trey Murphy III is the third double-digit scorer and CJ McCollum is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76.4 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Pelicans and Hornets, and they play the Magic, Suns, and Trail Blazers next. The Denver Nuggets are averaging 120.5 points on 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 116.5 points on 46.7 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.6 points and 12.8 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 20.4 points and 4 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Christian Braun is grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 77.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have won 22 of their last 23 games at Ball Arena against teams that held a losing record.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Pelicans and Nuggets.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won four of their last five road games against the Nuggets following a road loss.
- The Nuggets have lost two of their last three games as home favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in four of their last five road games against the Nuggets following a road loss.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.5%).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (30.9).
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for net rating this season (-8.4).
- The Pelicans rank 28th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (46.3).
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Injury Report
The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II, Peyton Watson, Vlatko Cancar, and Russell Westbrook. Aaron Gordon is questionable with a calf injury.
The Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray, and Herbert Jones. Daniel Theis is questionable with a thumb injury.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Denver Nuggets should get the job done at home against a banged-up Pelicans team that’s 4-20 SU on the road. However, this is a massive line for a Nuggets team that continues to play with their food at times and has failed to cover five of their last six games. The Nuggets and Pelicans also just played each other a couple of days ago, and it’s usually tough to beat the same team twice in a short span. The second meeting is typically more competitive. The Nuggets are also still without Russell Westbrook, which is a big blow given the energy he brings to both ends of the floor. There are better options out there but give me the Pels and the points if forced to pick.