Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Payton Shanks | Staff Writer

The Denver Nuggets (9-2) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (5-6) Friday. Tip-off from the Smoothie King Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Nuggets vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Denver leads 1-0

Denver got back in the win column with a 111-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday, but failing to cover as a 4.5-point favorite. The trio of C Nikola Jokic, F Aaron Gordon, and G Reggie Jackson combined for 70 points to stay undefeated at home on the year (7-0).

New Orleans ended a 5-game losing streak with a 131-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday, covering as a 3.5-point underdog. The Pelicans had 6 players score in double figures in the win, including 4 of their 5 starters. They forced Dallas to commit 20 turnovers while only turning the ball over 13 times.

Nuggets at Pelicans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:38 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Pelicans +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -4.5 (-105) | Pelicans +4.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Nuggets at Pelicans key injuries

Nuggets

G Jamal Murray (hamstring) out

Pelicans

G Jose Alvarado (ankle) doubtful
G CJ McCollum (lung) out
F Trey Murphy III (knee) out
F Larry Nance Jr. (rib) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Nuggets at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 113, Pelicans 107

Moneyline

PASS.

Denver should come away with the win here, but a -175 favorite is just slightly too risky for me to advise betting on. Bet on the spread and/or O/U instead.

Against the spread

LEAN NUGGETS -4.5 (-105).

I expect the Pelicans offense, which has has yet to find its stride and is missing some key players to injury, to struggle vs. a very good Nuggets defense. The Pelicans have not looked good in the minutes where the star duo of F Zion Williamson and F Brandon Ingram have played together, and that will hurt them in this matchup along with the lack of depth they have due to injuries.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 223.5 (-105).

Denver's defense only allows 106.3 points per game and will have success stopping this Pelicans offense that scores only 111.1 PPG. New Orleans' defense isn't great, but I expect this Nuggets team to still have trouble scoring enough to carry this game to hit the Over number of 223.5 without the shooting of Murray.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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