Nuggets vs. Pelicans Prediction & Odds
The first-place Nuggets head to New Orleans to take on the first-place Pelicans Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET. Can the Nuggets cover the 1-point spread as road favorites?
The Denver Nuggets are 14-8 on the season. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Nuggets are 11-11 ATS on the year.
The New Orleans Pelicans are 14-8 on the season. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are 12-10 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
515 Denver Nuggets (-1) at 516 New Orleans Pelicans (+1); O/U 229
3:30 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2022
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Nuggets vs. Pelicans Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 65% of public bettors are currently backing the Pelicans +1 in this contest. Do note that these numbers are subject to change so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Denver Nuggets DFS Spin
Forward Michael Porter Jr. will miss Sunday’s game and will likely be out for an extended period of time. Denver forward Jeff Green did not play in Denver’s last game on Friday night, and he’s officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. As of this writing, it doesn’t appear that Jeff Green will be available against the Pelicans.
Barring something unforeseen, Nuggets center and former league MVP Nikola Jokic will be available for Denver on Sunday. And that’s good news for DFS players. Jokic is one of the most well-rounded and skilled players in the league. He offers four-category production from the center spot, which is extremely rare. For the season Nikola Jokic is averaging 22.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. What’s more, he’s shooting exceptionally from the field, making 63.1% of his shots on 13.4 field goal attempts per game. You probably won’t find a better center in DFS than Nikola Jokic, so you should consider using him despite the high price tag.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin
Two injury notes for New Orleans could have significant effects on this game. Forwards Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones have both been ruled out for Sunday’s clash with the Nuggets. Ingram is out with a toe injury, and Jones is dealing with a foot ailment. Ingram and Jones are the second-and sixth-leading scorers on the Pelicans, respectively.
Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones being out might be bad for the Pelicans as a team, but their absence might be a blessing for Zion Williamson when it comes to DFS purposes. Ingram averages 15.4 shot attempts per game, and it stands to reason that star forward Zion Williamson might see a slight bump in usage on Sunday. Williamson has been a beast this season, averaging 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He’s been getting to his spots in the paint as he’s shooting 59.5% from the field and a blistering 60.9% on two-point shots. Zion Williamson has scored at least 23 points in 9 of his last 13 games and could make a meal out of a Denver defense that’s 26th in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
Nuggets vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Trends
Denver is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following an outright loss.
Denver is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Sunday games.
New Orleans is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning percentage over .600.
Denver is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in New Orleans.
Nuggets vs. Pelicans NBA Prediction
Denver ranks third in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 1.133. Their star center Nikola Jokic does a tremendous job of getting his teammates involved and creating offense for them. He’s also a threat to score himself from the post, the mid-range, and beyond the arc. The best way to beat Denver is to try to outscore them because you’re likely not going to hold Jokic and that offense down for long. This is where the absence of Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones comes into play for New Orleans. Those two players are averaging a combined 31.4 points per game. I think the Pelicans have a hard time replacing those scorers and I think Jokic and the Denver offense have a big day. I’ll lay the points with the Nuggets.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: DENVER NUGGETS -1
