The New Orleans Pelicans (26-25) play the 2nd contest of a 3-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets (34-16) Tuesday. Tip-off from Ball Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pelicans vs. Nuggets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Pelicans opened the 3-game trip by getting roughed up 135-110 by the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. New Orleans has dropped 8 in a row and is just 2-6 against the spread (ATS) during that stretch. The Under has cashed in 4 of its last 5 outings.
The Nuggets were on the short end of a 126-119 loss at the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, ending a 3-game road trip at 1-2 straight up (SU) and ATS. Denver is still 12-4 SU across the past 16 games dating back to Dec. 30, while 14-7 ATS over the previous 21 outings.
Tuesday is the third of 4 meetings between these teams this season. New Orleans won 121-106 at home as a 1.5-point favorite as the Under (230.5) connected on Dec. 4 while the Nuggets picked up a narrow 99-98 victory as 3-point favorites last Tuesday. The Under (232) connected in the second meeting, too.
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Pelicans at Nuggets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Nuggets -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +7.5 (-108) | Nuggets -7.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pelicans at Nuggets key injuries
Pelicans
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
Nuggets
- G Jamal Murray (knee) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pelicans at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 121, Pelicans 111
Moneyline
The Nuggets (-300) will cost you 3 times your potential return, and that’s way too much, especially with Murray, a.k.a. “The Blue Arrow” on the injury report as questionable to play.
PASS.
Against the spread
With or without Murray, the NUGGETS -7.5 (-112) are a strong play at home against the Pelicans. New Orleans enters on an 8-game nosedive and has covered the spread just twice during the skid.
While NOLA did cover in a narrow 99-98 loss at home last Tuesday, the story should be much different in the Mile High City. Denver is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 games at home and is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 against winning teams.
Over/Under
UNDER 234.5 (-115) is worth a look, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games overall for the Pelicans and is 9-1 in their past 10 against winning teams. It’s all about the Under for the Nuggs too, going 8-3 in the past 11 games overall and 5-2 in their past 7 games at home.
The Under has hit in 9 of the past 11 meetings between these sides, including both meetings this year and 6 of the last 7 meetings in Denver.
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