The New Orleans Pelicans (0-3) and Denver Nuggets (2-1) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Denver won 3-1
New Orleans lost 122-90 to the Boston Celtics Monday, failing to cover as a 4.5-point underdog with the Under (231.5) hitting. The Pelicans were outrebounded 54-35 and had just 1 player finish with at least 20 points. F Zion Williamson (foot) missed the contest.
Denver beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-114 Monday, covering as a 6.5-point favorite with the Over (229.5) cashing. G Jamal Murray scored 43 points, while C Nikola Jokic had a triple-double with 25 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. The Nuggets outrebounded Minnesota 46-33 and shot 52.3% from the field, including 50% from deep.
Pelicans at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:19 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +525 (bet $100 to win $525) | Nuggets -750 (bet $750 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +12.5 (-110) | Nuggets -12.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 237.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pelicans at Nuggets key injuries
Pelicans
C Kevon Looney (knee) outG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) outF Zion Williamson (foot) questionable
Nuggets
F Cam Johnson (shoulder) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pelicans at Nuggets picks and predictionsPrediction
Nuggets 122, Pelicans 104
PASS.
Whether Williamson is able to go or not, the Nuggets are the much better team, and the Pelicans have nothing to stop or even slow down Jokic. Denver will win as a -750 favorite, but the risk is not worth the reward, so pass and bet the spread and/or Over/Under instead.
LEAN NUGGETS -12.5 (-110).
The spread being set this favorably toward Denver makes me think that the market isn’t expecting Williamson to play, and without him, the Pelicans simply have no chance of beating this stacked Denver team. New Orleans is a bad defensive team, and if Williamson is out, the Pelicans’ offense will go from bottom 3 in the league to easily the worst.
If Williamson is able to go, back New Orleans here, as this is still a solid team with Williamson at the helm.
LEAN UNDER 237.5 (-110).
With Williamson out, the Pelicans were blown out by a bad Celtics team while scoring just 90 points. Look for the Pelicans to struggle to score for the second straight game with Williamson out. This will, more than likely, be a slower-paced game in which the Pelicans go for long stretches without seeing much offensive success.
This is a slight lean, as both of these teams have been bad defensively to start the season, while the Nuggets have a top-scoring offense in the NBA, averaging 130.3 points per game. If Williamson plays, smash the Over, but without him, New Orleans just won’t be able to score enough for the Over to hit.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire