The Denver Nuggets (26-13) and New Orleans Pelicans (9-32) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. The game will be broadcast live on ALT.
The Nuggets are 3.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread, with the over/under set at 235.5total points. Denver is a 57-cent favorite to win outright, while New Orleans is priced at 44 cents to pull off the upset on Fanatics Markets.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, January 13.
Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction
- Nuggets vs Pelicans pick: Pelicans +3.5
My Pelicans vs Nuggets best bet is on New Orleans to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at Fanatics Markets. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Pelicans Odds
(If you're unfamiliar with Fanatics Markets, read more here.)
Nuggets vs Pelicans NBA Preview
I’m taking New Orleans plus the points in this spot. I grabbed them at +3.5, but I’d still be comfortable taking the Pelicans at +3 if that's the best line available.
Denver may be getting Jamal Murray back here, but even factoring that in, I don’t think this matchup warrants the Nuggets being more than a short favorite against New Orleans.
The Pelicans are a volatile team capable of playing extremely well in spurts and then ripping off stretches where they lose multiple games in a row.
The hope here is that we’re catching New Orleans on the upswing. I expect Trey Murphy to play, which is a big plus for the Pelicans' offensive spacing and scoring.
Herb Jones will be out, but New Orleans still have Derik Queen and Zion Williamson, which should give them plenty of big pairings against the Nuggets with no centers.
Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction, Analysis
Without Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas, Denver is relying on the strength of Aaron Gordon.
Gordon is excellent and can hold his own physically, but asking him to consistently deal with New Orleans’ size and power is a tall order.
When you look at it through that lens, this line feels inflated.
I’d make this spread closer to Pelicans +1.5, which makes +3.5 or better a solid value play.
Pick: Pelicans +3.5
Pelicans vs Nuggets Trends
