Two of the top four teams in the NBA’s Western Conference meet when the Denver Nuggets visit the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time on the NBA schedule. The NBA odds that these two teams win the NBA championship are each acceptable picks, given how they’ve played so far.
The game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
The Pelicans (26-21) beat the Nuggets (33-14), 121-106, on Dec. 4, 2022, and were favored in that game. It was an impressive win and cover for the Pelicans, as 1.5 points favored them. The NBA matchups history had the gap closed as the Nuggets have 39 wins to the Pelicans’ 30 in the regular season series.
Here is what fans and bettors need to know before selecting Nuggets vs. Pelicans odds.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds
The script is flipped as the Nuggets vs Pelicans odds show Denver is favored by one point with an over/under of 231.5 points. The Denver Nuggets odds on the moneyline are -115, while the Pelicans are -105.
NBA expert picks may not favor the Nuggets. While they are 33-14 and the top team in the West, they are 25-22 against the spread, 22-25 on over/under, and 11-10 straight up on the road. While they are 19-19 against the spread as favorites, they are 2-4 against the spread when favored by 2.5 points or less and 9-12 against the spread on the road.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 23-24 against the spread and 27-20 on over/under, with a 17-6 record straight up at home. They are 9-13 against the spread as underdogs but are 6-3 against the spread when underdogs of 2.5 points or less. They are 13-20 against the spread at home.
In the series, the Nuggets are 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings in New Orleans, where the under is also 4-1 in that same stretch. That includes four outright wins, though the Pelicans have won two of the last three overall.
Here is a breakdown of how each team has played and a look at how the NBA injury report may change things.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Information
Denver Nuggets (33-14) vs New Orleans Pelicans (26-12)
Location of the game: Smoothie King Center. New Orleans, LA.
Date: Tuesday, January 24. 8:00 PM ET.
How to watch: fuboTV, NBA League Pass, Bally Sports NO, Altitude 2.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets continue to sport one of the league’s best offenses, NBA team stats show. They are fifth in scoring 117.2 points per game and are doing it most efficiently.
They are first in converting 51.0% of field goal attempts and also first in making 39.8% of 3-point shots. Surprisingly, they are fourth worst in making 74.2% of free throw attempts. They are also 16th in rebounding at 42.9 per game.
Defensively, they are solid. They are 13th in allowing 112.9 points per game but are 23rd in allowing teams to convert 47.9% of field goal attempts.
They are better on the perimeter, ranking seventh in holding teams to 34.8% on 3-point shots, and are second in limiting opponents to 40.2 rebounds per game.
Now, the rosters could look vastly different for each team Tuesday. The Pelicans are without star forwards Brandon Ingram (toe) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) until at least early February.
The Nuggets list two-time reigning Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic as questionable with a hamstring injury. They also list versatile forward Michael Porter Jr. as questionable for personal reasons.
That is significant because Jokic is on his way to a third straight MVP award. He is averaging 25.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game, and he makes it look easy to do so. But also, Porter is averaging 16.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Bones Hyland, who is questionable due to a finger injury, is adding 12.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans standings have been a fun climb with great depth despite Williamson playing 29 games and Ingram playing in 15. Having players step up and the depth they have shown over time is admirable, and why many think they are better than sitting fourth.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ defense will be tested. They are 16th in allowing 113.4 points per game and also 16th in allowing teams to convert 47.3% of field goal attempts. The pelicans are the best perimeter team at limiting opponents to 34.1% on 3-point shots. They are also sixth in holding opponents to 42.0 rebounds per game.
Offensively, they are ninth in scoring 116.0 points per game. They are 10th in converting 48.0% of field goal attempts and 14th at making 36.2% of 3-point shots. The Pelicans are 19th at the free-throw line, making 77.7% of attempts. They are seventh in rebounding 44.5 times per game.
NBA player stats show five other players who average 10 points or more per game, including forward Naji Marshall, who is scoring 10.5 points per game across 43 contests. But he is questionable with a toe injury.
But it is C.J. McCollum who will be the star of the show. He is averaging 21.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, while Jonas Valanciunas draws the tough matchup of Jokic – if he plays. Valanciunas averages 14.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and it would be tough for the Pelicans if he gets in foul trouble.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Picks
The best advice is to grab the Nuggets vs Pelicans odds when significant injury news is revealed. That could be after the afternoon shootaround for the Nuggets, or it could be at the league-mandated injury report 90 minutes before tip-off.
Either way, being quick to grab the odds before the line moves if a player is in or out is imperative here.
In six games without Jokic, the Nuggets are 3-3, and their scoring average drops from 118.6 points per game to 108.0 points per game and also losing 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.
If Jokic is out, it could be a pick ’em favoring the Pelicans, and that is attractive with a Denver team that struggles on the road. It also makes the under much more attractive.
If Jokic is in, Nuggets -1 and over 231.5 are the plays.
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