The Denver Nuggets (11-12) travel to Smoothie King Center Wednesday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (7-19). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nuggets at Pelicans odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Nuggets enter this game on their fifth of a seven-game road trip. They’ll have a back-to-back in San Antonio after this trade to Louisiana.
So far, they’re 2-2, losing to the Magic and Bulls and defeating the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Led by MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are 0-2 against the spread as road favorites.
As for the Pelicans, they’re 6-4 as home underdogs. They’re just 3-8 at home; however, they’ve been more competitive since F Brandon Ingram has returned. They’re 2-2 in their last 4 games.
Nuggets at Pelicans odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nuggets -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Pelicans +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -2.5 (-107) | Pelicans +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nuggets at Pelicans key injuries
Nuggets
- C Nikola Jokic (forearm) probable
- G Austin Rivers (health and safety protocols) out
- F Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
Pelicans
- F Zion Williamson (foot) out
- G Josh Hart (knee) questionable
Nuggets at Pelicans odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 108, Pelicans 104
Money line
PASS on the money line. I’ll take the quarter on the dollar and head towards the spread for better value.
Against the spread
BET on the NUGGETS -2.0 (-107) as the best value in this game.
The Pelicans, even with Ingram, haven’t been nearly the team they should be. Defensively, they’ve been atrocious, giving up 28 or more points to the Rockets in three of four quarters in their last outing.
On the other hand, the Nuggets have topped 108 points in three of their last five. With Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets have been excellent.
Jonas Valanciunas will be tasked with slowing him down, and I don’t envision that going over well. Jokic averaged 33 points per game as the Nuggets won all 3 matches against his Grizzlies last season.
He won’t be slowed down, and the Nuggets should come out on top with ease in this one.
Over/Under
“LEAN” the UNDER 214.5 (-110) as these two teams rank 26th and 27th in points per game, respectively.
While the Nuggets shoot the 10th-best percentage in the league from the field, they play their offense through Jokic, and that’s not ideal for a high-paced game.
As for the Pelicans, they just can’t shoot. They rank 26th in field goal percentage per game. While Ingram is a bona fide superstar, not all Pelicans play at his level.
Given the elite stardom and then dropoff from both teams, I’d bank on those two not getting enough to carry their teams all the way to the Over.
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