The Denver Nuggets (10-3) and New Orleans Pelicans (2-12) meet in a Western Conference battle Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Nuggets lead 1-0 with 122-88 win at home Oct. 29, covering as an 11.5-point favorite as the Under (238) cashed
The Nuggets lost to the Chicago Bulls 130-127 Monday, failing to cover as a 12.5-point home favorite as the Over (241) cashed with ease. C Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double in 13 games with scored 36 points on 13-for-27 shooting, 18 rebounds and 13 assists. Denver had its season-long 7-game win streak snapped with the loss; it was 6-1 against the spread (ATS) during the streak. The Nuggets are 9-4 ATS on the season.
The Pelicans suffered their sixth straight defeat Monday, losing 126-109 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They covered as an 18.5-point underdog as the Over (223) hit. New Orleans was led by G Jeremiah Fears, who scored 24 points. The Pelicans are just 1-3-1 ATS over their last 5 games and 5-7-2 ATS on the season.
Nuggets at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100) | Pelicans +625 (bet $100 to win $625)Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -13.5 (-115) | Pelicans +13.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Nuggets at Pelicans key injuries
Nuggets
G Christian Braun (ankle) out
Pelicans
F Saddiq Bey (ankle) questionableG Dejounte Murray (achilles) outG Jordan Poole (quad) outF Zion Williamson (hamstring) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Pelicans picks and predictionsPrediction
Nuggets 122, Pelicans 105
PASS.
Without a doubt, avoid this play. The Nuggets (-1000) are surging, but are far too expensive to consider to win outright.
BET NUGGETS -13.5 (-115).
The Pelicans are just too banged up to think they can keep pace with the Nuggets. They’ve lost 3 straight home games by at least 13 points and are 1-3-1 ATS across their last 5 contests.
The Nuggets have covered 3 straight away games and are 4-2 ATS on the road this season. Denver’s offense is surging as it has scored at least 122 points in 7 of its last 8 performances.
Expect them to be able to pull away Wednesday and back NUGGETS -13.5 (-115).
BET UNDER 232.5 (-110).
Neither team plays at a fast tempo which should limit scoring opportunities. The Nuggets rank 18th and Pelicans 25th in pace. Denver is just 2-3 O/U in its last 5 games as well.
For New Orleans, the chief concern is its limited offensive production, tallying 106 or fewer in 4 of its last 7 games. It is 4-4 O/U in its last 8 contests. Take UNDER 232.5 (-110).
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