Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/24/2023

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

Where to watch: BSNO, ALT2

DraftKings: Check back later

FanDuel: Check back later

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Caesars: Check back later

Nuggets: 33-14

Pelicans: 26-21

Nuggets: lost 101-99 vs. Thunder

Pelicans: lost 100-96 at Heat

Never a bad time for a matchup between two of the top teams in the Western Conference, but this game between the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans is likely coming to an end in ridiculous fashion because of the fact that New Orleans is down to of its key players.

 

But we will start with the top team in the Western Conference, who is coming off a shocking 101-99 lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. It's not shocking in the sense that Oklahoma City won the game because we've talked about this numerous times period Oklahoma City is legit this year and could challenge for a playoff spot rather easily. But it also came from the Denver side that was without two time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

 

Jamal Murray led the way with 26 points but took 23 shots to get there. Aaron Gordon also had 15 points but took fifteen shots to get there while grabbing 10 rebounds. Denver, as a team, shot 44% from the floor and still found a way to lose because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points.

 

“I think it’s much easier to switch one through five with us,” Nuggets acting coach David Adelman said. “When Nikola is on the floor, it’s virtually impossible to do that and it’s virtually impossible to zone us. They did those two things and they’re smart things to do.”

 

Anytime you can get the MVP some rest, you have to take it, even if it has the risk of losing a game like the Nuggets did to Oklahoma City on this day. Oklahoma City is a very good team and should not be taken as a slight with how good they've been this year.

 

I would expect you Jokic to be back in the lineup for this game, but it might not matter ultimately. The Pelicans are coming off a 100-96 loss to the Miami Heat, their 4th straight overall. New Orleans is still without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson due to injury.

 

CJ McCollum had just 13 points on 5/16 shooting, and it was Trey Murphy leading the team with 17 points on six of 11 shooting. Clearly the offense is going to run through McCollum any chance it gets. So someone has to step up in their superstars’ absence to take over the reins right now it doesn't appear to be anyone.

 

“I'm proud of our guys, the fight that they had tonight," Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “Guys competed. They played at a high level, executed at a high level at both ends of the floor. We came up short and we just have to take care of the basketball."

 

The Pelicans have dropped four straight but are 2-3 against the spread in the last five. Things don’t appear to be getting any better any time soon.

 

It should be considered a valiant effort for the Pelicans to continue to play as well as they have, but when they are down their two big names, this one is not going to be a fun one for them. Nuggets 114, Pelicans 98

Betting trends

Nuggets are 19-23 ATS against Southwest Division teams the last 3 seasons.

Nuggets are 6-1 ATS off a home loss against a division rival the last 3 years.

Pelicans are 9-11 ATS off a non-conference game this season.

Pelicans are 3-10 ATS after 2 straight road games this season.

PG: Jamal Murray

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF: Michael Porter Jr.

PF: Aaron Gordon

C: Nikola Jokic

PG: CJ McCollum

SG: Trey Murphy III

SF: Herb Jones

PF: Jaxson Hayes

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Injury report

Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. (personal, questionable)

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (toe, doubtful), Zion Williamson (hamstring, out)

Points: Nikola Jokic -- 25.1

Rebounds: Nikola Jokic -- 11.0

Assists: Nikola Jokic -- 9.9

Points: Zion Williamson -- 26.0

Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas -- 9.9

Assists: CJ McCollum -- 5.8