The streaking New Orleans Pelicans (27-36) seek their fifth straight win as they start a two-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets (37-26). Tip-off Sunday at Ball Arena is 8 p.m. Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Pelicans are 4-0 since the All-Star break, including wins over the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, to play themselves into the playoff picture. New Orleans has won 5 straight road games and sits in 10th place in the West, where they would qualify for play-in games to determine the conference’s final two seeds.
The Nuggets have suffered only one loss since the All-Star Game and are one of the NBA’s hotter teams. They are 7-1 in their last eight games and 9-2 in their last 11. They are currently in sixth place in the West.
Pelicans at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pelicans +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Nuggets -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +3.5 (-105) | Nuggets -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Pelicans at Nuggets key injuries
Pelicans
- G Kira Lewis (knee) out
- F Larry Nance Jr. (knee) out
- F Zion Williamson (foot) out
Nuggets
- C Nikola Jokic (illness) probable
- G Jamal Murray (knee) out
- F Zeke Nnaji (knee) questionable
- F Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
- G Austin Rivers (illness) probable
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Pelicans at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 121, Pelicans 119
Money line
The Pelicans are 12-19 on the road this season, although they have won their last five games away from home. That is hard to keep up, especially against a hot team that plays well at home like Denver.
The Nuggets are 18-11 at home this season and have won five of their last six there. Six of their last seven games have come against teams with losing records. They won five of them.
Take the NUGGETS (-175).
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Against the spread
The Pelicans are 32-30-1 ATS overall this season. They have covered the spread in their last four games and in six of their last 10. They are 15-16 ATS on the road. The Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 contests, but only 12-17 ATS at home this season.
With both teams playing extremely well, this game could come down to the wire.
Take the PELICANS +3.5 (-105).
Over/Under
The Pelicans have held their opponents to 102 or fewer points in four straight games, but the Nuggets have averaged 117.3 points in their last eight games and have put up 115 or more in six of those games.
The Pelicans have scored 109 or more in eight straight and over 120 in their last three.
Take OVER 227.5 (-108).
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