The Denver Nuggets (14-11) travel to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans (5-24) on Sunday, December 22nd. This game will be played at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and televised on Gulf. Both the Nuggets and Pelicans will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Nuggets vs Pelicans

The Nuggets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Nuggets dropped to 14-11 on the season after a 126-124 loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Denver, who was favored by 8.5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 250, surpassing the O/U line of 234.5.

Denver looked strong early, going on a 10-0 run to extend their lead from 66-59 to 76-59. However, they struggled in the 3rd quarter, being outscored 38-21. Despite a strong 4th quarter comeback, where they outscored Portland 37-22, the Nuggets couldn’t complete the rally.

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans fell to 5-24 on the season after a 104-93 loss to the Knicks on Saturday. New Orleans, who were +8 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread at home. The game’s total of 197 points was well under the 223.5-point line.

New Orleans looked strong early, going on a 10-0 run to take the lead, and they held the Knicks to 17 points in the 2nd quarter. However, New York outscored the Pelicans 33-26 in the 3rd and 26-18 in the 4th to pull away.

Nuggets Offense Breakdown

Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with 34 points and 8 assists, hitting 72.2% from the field and 4 threes at 66.7% in their loss to the Trail Blazers. Jamal Murray added 24 points and 10 assists, while Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points, shooting 66.7% and making 2 threes at 50%.

As a team, the Nuggets shot 54% from the field and made 15 threes at a 44.1% rate. Jokić scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while Murray added 12, and Westbrook chipped in 8. Christian Braun scored 11 of his 13 points in the opening quarter.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

The Pelicans managed just 93 points in their loss to the Knicks, shooting 41% from the field. Their three-point shooting was average, hitting 12 threes at a 35.3% clip.

Trey Murphy III led the way with 26 points, including 12 in the opening quarter. Dejounte Murray added 14 points, and CJ McCollum chipped in 13.

Nuggets Team Defense

The Nuggets struggled defensively in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 36 and 38 points, respectively, in their 126-124 loss to the Trail Blazers. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Denver allowed Portland to shoot 46% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Trail Blazers hit 16 threes at a 34% clip. Denver sent Portland to the line 24 times, where they made 20 free throws. The Nuggets gave up 15 offensive rebounds while recording 7 steals and 3 blocks.

Pelicans Team Defense

Defensively, the Nuggets struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 36 and 38 points, respectively, in their 126-124 loss to the Trail Blazers. Denver allowed Portland to shoot 46% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Trail Blazers hit 16 threes on 34% shooting. The Nuggets sent Portland to the line 24 times, where they made 20 free throws. Denver finished with 32 defensive rebounds, 7 steals, and 3 blocks.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 5-5 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 120 points per game in these contests.
• In their last ten games at home, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 0-10 while going 3-7 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 102 points per game in these contests.
• As the betting underdog, the Pelicans have an ATS mark of just 0-3 in their last three games. New Orleans posted a straight up mark of 0-3 in these matchups.
• The last three games that Denver was favored, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction

For a point-spread wager in this Nuggets vs. Pelicans game, we suggest taking the Pelicans at +9.5. Even though our predictions have the Nuggets winning 120-113, we see the Pelicans as the better choice on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 231.5, and our model projects the Nuggets and Pelicans to reach a combined total of 233 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.