Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup

Check out our free Nuggets vs Pelicans prediction for this NBA matchup in New Orleans. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this regular season NBA matchup.

  • The Nuggets have a road matchup with New Orleans at 14-11.
  • Defensively, Denver are giving up 116.9 points per game.
  • The Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Pelicans.
  • The Pelicans hold a 5-24 record so far.
  • New Orleans has an effective field goal percentage of 49% (30th).
  • The Pelicans are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Nuggets.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction

At 7:00 ET, the Pelicans will host the Nuggets in a Western Conference matchup. Denver (-9.5) is 14-11 and 6th in the West, while New Orleans (+9.5) is 5-24 and 15th in the conference.

Looking at the over/under line, the total is set at 231.5 points. The Nuggets are -414 on the moneyline, while the Pelicans are +322. New Orleans has lost six straight games and will be looking to snap that streak tonight.

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Matchup At A Glance

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
  • Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
  • Date: Sunday, December 22nd
  • Betting Odds DEN -9.5, DEN -414 | NO +322 O/U 231.5

Nuggets Preview: Will Denver Live Up to Expectations on the Road?

Denver’s season record dropped to 14-11 after a 126-124 road loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday. The Nuggets, favored by 8.5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game exceeded the 234.5 O/U line, with the teams combining for 250 points.

Denver appeared to be in control after a 10-0 run extended their lead from 66-59 to 76-59. However, they were outscored 38-21 in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th trailing 104-87. Despite a strong 4th quarter, where they outscored Portland 37-22, the Nuggets couldn’t complete the comeback.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 34 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, hitting 72.2% of his shots and 4 threes at 66.7% in their loss to the Trail Blazers. Jamal Murray added 24 points and 10 assists, making 3 threes at 50%, while Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points with 2 threes, shooting 66.7% from the field.

As a team, the Nuggets connected on 15 threes at 44.1% and shot 54% overall. Jokic scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while Murray added 12, and Westbrook 8. Michael Porter had 10 of his 16 points in the opening quarter, and Christian Braun scored 11 of his 13 points in the 1st.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where they allowed just 22 points, the Nuggets couldn’t overcome their earlier struggles, giving up 126 points in a loss to the Trail Blazers. Denver allowed 30 points in the 1st quarter, 36 in the 2nd, and 38 in the 3rd. Portland shot 46% from the field.

The Nuggets also allowed 16 three-pointers on 34% shooting. The Trail Blazers went 20/24 from the free-throw line. Denver finished with 32 defensive rebounds but allowed 15 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks.

Pelicans Preview: Does New Orleans Have What it Takes to Win as Home Underdogs?

The Nuggets dropped to 14-11 on the season after a 126-124 road loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Denver, favored by 8.5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 250 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 234.5 by 15.5 points.

Denver appeared to be in control after a 10-0 run extended their lead from 66-59 to 76-59. However, Portland responded by outscoring the Nuggets 38-21 in the 3rd quarter. Denver made a strong push in the 4th, outscoring the Blazers 37-22, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

The Pelicans struggled offensively in their 93-point performance against the Knicks, shooting just 41% from the field. Their three-point shooting was average, hitting 12 threes at a 35.3% clip.

Trey Murphy III led the way with 26 points, including 12 in the opening quarter. Dejounte Murray added 14 points, while CJ McCollum chipped in 13.

Defensively, the Pelicans had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Knicks to just 17 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 33 points in their 104-93 loss. Overall, they gave up 104 points on 43% shooting from the field.

New Orleans couldn't contain New York from beyond the arc, as the Knicks hit 15 threes at a 40% clip. The Pelicans also sent the Knicks to the line 15 times, where they made 13 free throws. Defensively, the Pelicans recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

  • Across their last three road contests, Denver has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 131 points per game.
  • Across the Pelicans last ten home games, the team averaged 102 points per game while allowing 121. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 0-10 straight-up.
  • Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have gone 0-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
  • Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Denver has an ATS mark of 2-7-1 while going 4-6 straight up.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction

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