Pelicans vs Nuggets Prediction and Betting Tips 23 Dec 2024 - NBA Prediction
NLB Staff
22.12.2024 17:34
Pelicans vs Nuggets Prediction
As the New Orleans Pelicans remain a completely depleted roster that keeps getting devastated by more problems, they play a Nuggets unit that has shown a ton of inconsistency this season. The Pelicans came off a 133-113 loss against Houston, while this Denver unit took an upset loss to Portland. This game will be played on December 23rd at 5:30 A.M. IST in Smoothie King Center of New Orleans. Below are our key betting tips, vital player props, important injuries, and head-to-head matchups entering this game.
Pelicans vs Nuggets Betting Tips & Predictions
1. New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Moneyline Pick
Looking at the money line, this Nuggets -480 money line should be taken as they have much more firepower in their unit. Seeing that the Nuggets have a top-tier backcourt with Jamal Murray plus Christian Braun, this duo should easily outscore plus have more assists than Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum. As Miachel Porter Jr. will really be able to get up great looks against Trey Murphy III, his defense plus rebounding should have an advantage as well. With Aaron Gordon being a strong hustle piece that can finish and create extra chances against Herbert Jones, Nikola Jokic will continue playing at an MVP level against Yves Missi. Seeing this, the Nuggets should start their new streak against New Orleans after winning this -480 money line.
2. New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Point Spread Pick
As the Nuggets have a -9.5 spread in this game, they should dominate from start to finish as the more star-studded roster. Led by Jamal Murray at point guard, his ability to create assists for others and score from inside or outside remains the key to this offense opening up. As not only a vocal leader but a strong facilitator who gets everyone involved, he should show up in a big way once against a recently struggling defender in Dejounte Murray. Although Murray has become a better option passing-wise, Murray’s strong defense will stop a lot of those through deflections, while he will lockdown on that end by creating steals. Seeing that Murray is more athletic as well, his combination of offensive and defensive skills will make him the Nuggets' top two-way piece in this game. With Christian Braun showing development game after game for this unit as a piece that continues knocking down long-range shots from the top of the key, he should have another impactful performance against CJ McColloum’s weaker defense. Although McColloum will score points on the offensive end, it won’t be as much from deep or with much precision because Braun has learned how to close out on deep shots. Someone who can control the pace of where someone looks to shoot from, the Nuggets' shooting guard will lock another key piece down. As Miachel Porter Jr. remains a key piece from three, his inside game has shown up as well. Going against a smaller Trey Murphy III, he should use his size to finish from everywhere, while also creating blocks on the defensive end. With Aaron Gordon being able to outscore plus have more rebounds than Herb Jones, Nikola Jokic should continue playing at an All-NBA level at center. All in all, Denver should win this -9.5 spread with ease.
3. New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver NuggetsOver/Under Pick (Total Points)
With the over/under being 230.5 points during this matchup, both teams have a ton of options to create looks throughout this game. As the Pelicans are led by a solid point guard who can create for others and finish inside, their shooting guard remains a key threat from the outside. Knowing their small forward has been a key force that can create inside looks on the drive or pop-out from mid-range, they have a center that can create layup looks. Meanwhile, Denver has one of the strongest point guards who can make looks from areas near the basket or beyond the arc while their SG remains a rising star from knockdown jump shots. Having a small forward who can make his shot from almost anywhere on the floor, they have one of the strongest finishing plus hustle-scoring pieces. With a center that keeps an MVP level of play, this group should go over their combined 195 points from last time.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Top Player Props
Herb Jones under 11.5 points at 1.71: As the New Orleans Pelicans forward has shown some recent growth, his lack of doing it on a nightly basis will cause trouble in this matchup. Being a piece that has to go up against Aaron Gordon, he will not be able to find his inside looks or create dunks. Having someone who averages 12.1 points a night, he should hit the under during this matchup.
Nikola Jokic over 30.0 points at 1.91: A threat that can nearly score from anywhere on the court, the Nuggets center should have another explosive night. Seeing that Nikola Jokic continues attacking the hoop and has a size advantage against Yves Missi to create from outside as well, he will dominate. As a piece that scores 31.0 a night, he should be somewhere around that line in this game.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Injury News & Impact
New Orleans Pelicans Injuries: Seeing that Brandon Ingram, 22.2 points, is still out due to his ankle issue, Zion Williamson, 22.7 points, will not be playing because of a hamstring injury. Having no Karlo Matkovic, 2.0 rebounds, because of a back problem, Daniel Theis plus Jose Alvardo will be missing due to personal and hamstring issues, respectively.
Denver Nuggets Injuries: Having no Vlakto Cancar, due to a knee issue, this group will be without Dario Saric, 3.5 rebounds, because of an ankle issue.
Pelicans vs Nuggets Head-to-Head Trends
With the Pelicans having come out victorious last time out, Denver will look to get this game in their favor once again after getting everyone together. As the Nuggets scored over 100 points during 3 of their previous 4 games, this group averaged 109.5 points over the past two. Being 4-3 against the spread vs New Orleans over their past 7 games, they should make the record even stronger after this game.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
As the betting insights show in this game, the Denver Nuggets are favored to win this game by 83.89% of bettors.
Pelicans vs Nuggets Final Prediction
As the Denver Nuggets have been a bit off the mark this season, this a great bounce-back game for them after suffering some very tough losses. Going against a New Orleans team that keeps having a problem with Zion Williamson’s love for basketball and Brandon Ingram’s injury history, Denver should control this game the whole way. Having Jamal Murray play point guard, his ability to pass and create shots from deep or near the hoop remains a massive factor. Someone who can hustle up and down the floor the whole game, his high-energy plus dribbling abilities should control Dejounte Murray’s defense. Although Murray is a great passer and can create some form of assists in this game, it won’t be enough due to Jamal Murray’s stealing ability plus force on traps. Someone who can defend the three-point line or the mid-range game, he should have a strong impact on this Pelicans guard. With Christian Braun continuing to show that his deep shooting is lethal, he will play a major role against a weaker defender in CJ McColloum. As McCollum has shown a lack of energy due to him wanting out of New Orleans, Braun should find good looks from all around and play a very serviceable defensive game as their primary top-of-the-wing defender.
With Miachel Porter Jr., continuing to be able to make shots from almost everywhere, his looks have come at a very high rate. Someone who has shown ease for knocking down the three-point ball and even rebounding at a strong rate should create a mismatch against a primary scorer in Trey Murphy III. Being a piece that can block as well and also create steals, he is going to hammer down dunks the other way. With Aaron Gordon continuing to be a vital board-getter and scorer from inside for this unit against Herbert Jones, Nikola Jokic should have a much stronger offensive night than Yves Missi. With Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawher being vital pieces off the bench, the Pelicans can keep it close if Jaylen Nowell plus Jordan Hawkins play well.
Our prediction: Denver Nuggets win and cover their -9.5 spread, while the score goes over 230.5 points.
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