Pelicans vs Nuggets Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Tuesday, January 31st

Check out our free Pelicans vs Nuggets pick and preview for this NBA game in Denver. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Pelicans vs Nuggets NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets
Where: Denver at Ball Arena
Date: Tuesday, January 31st
Betting Odds DEN -8, NO +254 | DEN -332 O/U 234.0

So far, the Pelicans have put together an overall record of 26-25, while going 24-27-0 vs the spread. The Pelicans head into today’s action in the midst of a 8 game losing streak. This has come while posting an average scoring margin of -12.25.

New Orleans is trying to bounce back from a 135-110 loss to the Bucks. Going into this game, the team was 10 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. New Orleans struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip away at a 18 point halftime deficit. In the loss, Jose Alvarado led the team in scoring with 18 points on a field goal percentage of 33.3%.

The Nuggets come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 34-16. So far, the team has gone 25-24-1 against the spread. The Nuggets head into today’s action in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. Their average scoring differential in these defeats is -7.5.

Denver is trying to bounce back from a 126-119 loss to the 76ers. Going into this game, the team was 3 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Denver went on to lose the game despite leading by 15 heading into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Nikola Jokic, as he contributed 24 points while hitting 66.7% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Pelicans averaged 115.5 points per game vs Denver, which was an increase over their season-long average. On the other side, the Nuggets also experienced an uptick in scoring during head-to-head matchups, averaging 119.75 points per game vs New Orleans. When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Pelicans hold the edge at 3-2. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 1 points per game. Over the course of these games, they averaged 225 points per game, leading a 1-3-1 over-under record.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The New Orleans offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 12th ranked offense at 115.0 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Pelicans will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.0 made 3’s per game. One reason that they are still scoring at a high rate, is the fact that they are ranked 11th in the NBA in possessions per contest. These increased opportunites have helped make up for the lack of outside shooting.

Defensively, New Orleans has had its problems giving up an average of 110.28 points per game (13th).

A key injury to note in this game is the absence of the Pelicans 2nd leading scorer, Zion Williamson. In his 29 games, Williamson is averaging 26.0 points per game while dishing out 4.6 assists and grabbing 7.0 rebounds. In his absence, the team will be looking for even more production out of CJ McCollum, who leads the team and is 44th in the NBA at 21.3 points per contest. For the season, he has connected on 43.1% of his field goal attempts while taking 20.9% of the team’s shots from the floor.

Through 50 games, Denver is the 8th best scoring team at 116.5 points per game. So far, the Nuggets are averaging 98.0 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. Although the team tends to play at a more deliberate pace, they are currently one of the more efficient shooting teams, connecting on field goal attempts at a rate of 50.8%.

On defense, the Nuggets will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 14th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

Before getting a bet down on this matchup, be sure to check in on the health status of Jamal Murray who is 2nd on the team in scoring at 19.1 points per game. At the time of this article, Murray is listed as questionable. For the season, he is 4th on the team in usage rate and is 82nd in the NBA in player efficiency rating. If he is able to play, Denver benefit from having both of their top scorers as Nikola Jokic leads the team and is 19th in the league in scoring (25.1). For today’s matchup, he will going against a defense ranked 21st in points allowed to centers.