Nuggets vs. Pelicans Prediction
Will the New Orleans Pelicans be able to cover as a home favorite against the Denver Nuggets when the two collide at 8PM ET?
575 Denver Nuggets vs. 576 New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, January 24, 2020
8PM ET – Smoothie King Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Pelicans are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Nuggets. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 229.5 points. The public betting currently has 62 percent on the Pelicans as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Nuggets fall at Houston
Denver is coming off a 121-105 loss at Houston on Wednesday for a second loss in three games. The Nuggets are just 1-3 against the spread in their last four. Denver is 30-14 on the season, 13-8 on the road, 18-22-4 against the spread and 25-19 with the under.
The Nuggets are a solid defense, allowing just 106 points per game this season while holding opponents to 45.4 percent shooting. Denver is putting up 109.3 points per game on offense while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Denver has some injury issues. Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Miles Plumlee are all out while Gary Harris and Michael Porter Jr. are both questionable. Nikola Jokic is leading the team with 19.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Will Barton is adding 15.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest.
Pelicans get Zion
New Orleans is coming off a 121-117 loss at home in the debut of Zion Williamson on Wednesday night. The losses snapped a four-game cover streak for the Pelicans. New Orleans is now 17-28 on the season, 8-14 at home, 22-21-2 against the spread and 26-19 with the over.
The Pelicans are a great offensive team, putting up 114.5 points per game while shooting 37 percent from the arc. Defensively, New Orleans is giving up 117.7 points per game while opponents shoot 46.8 percent from the floor. Williamson put up 22 points in his debut in just 18 minutes of action. He scored 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 25.5 points, 4.3 assists and 6.6 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Denver
The Nuggets are 5-0-2 against the spread in their last seven games following a loss, but just 3-8-2 ATS in their last 13 games against a losing team.
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven home games and 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a loss.
Prediction:
The Pelicans picked up a 112-100 win over the Nuggets on Christmas Day and they had a 122-107 win at home back on Halloween. The Pelicans are a team that is going to score points. They have put up 117 or more in five straight. Their ability to score and the addition of Williamson, who was 4-for-4 from the arc in his debut, gives them even more potential. Denver is a team that needs to win with defense. Four of their last five has seen them score 107 points or less. I think the Pelicans’ scoring ability will take Denver out of its style of play and lead to another New Orleans win in this series.
NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -3.5