With 3 wins in 4 games the Nuggets are starting to look like the team we are accustomed to seeing. Granted, there is still work to be done, especially on offense. Last season the Nuggets led the NBA in points per game, so far this season they are down in 13th averaging 114.5 ppg. Nikola Jokic’s numbers have also seen a significant drop-off, which has raised concerns about him maybe starting to fall off a bit. Friday is an opportunity for the Nuggets to improve on all those numbers as they take on a Pelicans team that’s really struggling right now.
New Orleans has allowed 138 or more points in 4 consecutive games, this team has just fallen apart on the defensive and there seems to be no fix in sight. Star guard Dejounte Murray has had enough and has formally requested a trade from the team, that certainly won’t contribute to the overall atmosphere in the locker room. Last night the Pels got absolutely smoked by the Grizzlies 142-111, it’s no wonder they go into tonight’s game as a double-digit underdog after losing the last 4 games by an average of 33 points. This team is just 3-5 ATS in 8 games following a loss, while as a home underdog they’ve covered only once in 5 home games.
This is a no brainer really. Denver hasn’t played in 3 days, while the Pels are on a 2nd night of a back-to-back scenario, in all kinds of shambles. The Nuggets already lead the regular season series 2-0, make it 3-0 after tonight. Take Denver to cover.
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions: Nuggets -11.5 is available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.
