The Denver Nuggets (51-24) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (38-38) in a Western Conference affair on Thursday night. The Nuggets are rolling as of late, winners of four straight and five of their last six games. On Monday, Denver beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-111. New Orleans just had its five-game win streak come to an end when the Pelicans lost to the Golden State Warriors 120-109 on Tuesday. Nikola Jokic (calf) is questionable for Denver, while Zion Williamson (hamstring) remains out for New Orleans.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Ball Arena in Denver. Caesars Sportsbook lists Denver as a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Pelicans vs. Nuggets odds. The over/under for total points is 227. Before making any Nuggets vs. Pelicans picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 24 of the 2022-23 NBA season a stunning 70-36 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,900. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Pelicans vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the NBA lines and trends for Nuggets vs. Pelicans:
- Pelicans vs. Nuggets spread: Denver -6.5
- Pelicans vs. Nuggets Over-Under: 227 points
- Pelicans vs. Nuggets money line: Denver -260, New Orleans +210
- NO: Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall
- DEN: Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games
- Pelicans vs. Nuggets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Jokic (questionable) is an absolute difference-maker for this ball club. The two-time MVP is a sensational playmaker due to his vision and passing skills, and he can get a score from all spots on the court with ease. Jokic is second in the NBA in rebounds (11.9), fourth in assists (9.9), and 17th in scoring (24.9). In Monday’s win over the 76ers, he amassed 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Guard Jamal Murray continues to be a solid scoring weapon on the perimeter. Murray has a superb shooting range and lets it fly from beyond the arc with no hesitation. The Kentucky product averages 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per contest. On March 25 versus the Milwaukee Bucks, he racked up 26 points, nine assists, and knocked down five 3-pointers.
Why the Pelicans can cover
Forward Brandon Ingram owns an all-around offensive attack. Ingram is very lanky and long which allows him to shoot right over defenders. The 25-year-old logs 24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He’s scored at least 25 points in seven straight games, and in his last outing versus the Warriors, Ingram had 26 points, eight boards, and seven assists.
Guard CJ McCollum provides New Orleans with another outside shooter as he has a pure jumper and is able to consistently be a mid-range assassin. The Lehigh product also makes good reads as a passer. McCollum averages 20.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per contest. In the March 25 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, he dropped 21 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
How to make Pelicans vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 236 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who Nuggets vs. Pelicans? And which side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.