The NBA regular season is kicking off with an intriguing game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets. Both teams are looking to bounce back after losses in their season openers. The Pelicans will travel to Ball Arena to take on the Nuggets on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM.
The Pelicans, under the guidance of head coach Jamahl Mosley, hold a 0-1 record for the regular season. They finished their preseason strong, with a record of 3-1. Currently, they sit at 9th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Southwest Division.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets, led by head coach David Adelman, also hold a 0-1 record this season. The Nuggets had a decent preseason with a 3-2 record. They are ranked 9th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Northwest Division.
According to the odds, the Nuggets are the favorites for this game, with a spread of -11.5. The Pelicans are considered the underdogs, with a spread of +11.5. Both teams are eager to secure their first win of the season.
Nuggets vs Pelicans At a Glance
- Game Location: Ball Arena
- Game Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 9:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: ALT
- Nuggets Odds: Favored with -11.5 spread
- Pelicans Odds: Underdog with +372 MoneyLine
- Last Game Outcomes: Pelicans lost by 3 to Pacers; Nuggets lost by 12 to Thunder
Denver Nuggets: A Look at Their Current Season
Offensive Struggles
The Denver Nuggets rank low in offensive stats this season. They are averaging 84 points per game, placing them 29th in the league. Their field goal percentage also stands at 37.8%, which is near the bottom at 29th place.
In terms of three-pointers, the Nuggets are making 8 per game. This places them at 24th in the league for three-point shots made. Their free throw shooting is also struggling, with a percentage of 63.6%, ranking them 28th.
Defensive Strength
On the defensive side, the Nuggets are strong. They allow only 96 points per game, ranking 3rd in the league. Their opponents' field goal percentage is also low at 37.9%, which is 3rd best.
Their defense against the three-point shot is solid as well. Opponents are making just 25.6% of their three-point attempts, placing the Nuggets 7th in that category. Additionally, they allow the fewest free throws made per game at 13.
Key Players to Watch
Aaron Gordon is a key player for the Nuggets. He averages 20 points and 6 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency stands out with a field goal percentage of 66.7%.
Nikola Jokić is another player to watch. He contributes 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Despite struggling with his shooting in the last game, he remains a crucial part of the team.
Injury Report
The Nuggets are dealing with several injuries. Cameron Johnson is out with an ankle injury, and Julian Strawther will miss time due to a knee sprain. Spencer Jones is also unavailable because of a hamstring issue.
Alpha Diallo is questionable with a wrist sprain. These injuries could impact the team’s depth and performance in upcoming games.
Team Betting Trends
- Denver has lost their last game straight up.
- They have not covered the spread in their last game.
- Their last game went under the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans: Ready to Soar Against the Nuggets
Recent Performance
The New Orleans Pelicans recently played against the Indiana Pacers and lost 123-120. They scored 120 points with a field goal percentage of 42.7%. Yves Missi stood out with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Before that, the Pelicans won 107-106 against the Washington Wizards. Saddiq Bey contributed 19 points and 6 rebounds in this close game. They made 43 out of 99 field goals, achieving a shooting percentage of 43.4%.
Key Players to Watch
Dejounte Murray is a key player, contributing 23 points and 7 assists in their latest game. His shooting accuracy was 50%, and he is also listed as questionable due to a toe injury.
Zion Williamson is another player to keep an eye on, scoring 22 points in the game against the Pacers. He has a field goal percentage of 43.8% and made 2 out of 4 three-point attempts.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
The Pelicans are scoring an average of 120 points per game, which ranks them 11th in the league. They have the highest free throw percentage at 91.9%.
Defensively, they allow 123 points per game, ranking them 23rd. They are 28th in field goal percentage allowed, with opponents shooting 52.2% against them.
Depth and Injuries
The Pelicans have a solid depth chart with players like Yves Missi and Saddiq Bey. Missi averages 9.5 points per game, while Bey adds 16.5 points per game.
Dejounte Murray's status is uncertain due to a toe injury. His presence or absence could impact the Pelicans' performance significantly.
Betting Trends
- The Pelicans are 0-1 straight up in their last three games.
- They are 0-1 against the spread in the last three games.
- Their games have gone over the total 1-0 in the last three games.
- They are 0-1 straight up and against the spread as underdogs.
Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction: Pelicans +11.5
The Pelicans enter this game as an 11.5-point underdog against the Nuggets. Despite the loss in their season opener, the Pelicans showed strong offensive stats, scoring 120 points per game. Their ability to score from the free-throw line might keep the game close.
The Nuggets struggled offensively in their first game, managing only 84 points. Their field goal percentage was low at 37.8%, which ranks them near the bottom of the league. This could make it hard for them to cover the large spread.
Historically, the Nuggets have dominated the Pelicans, winning the last 10 meetings by an average margin of 10.5 points. However, with the Pelicans' strong offensive potential, they may stay within the spread in this matchup.
Taking all factors into account, the Pelicans at +11.5 is a solid pick. The projected final score supports this, with the Nuggets winning but not covering the spread.
- Nuggets vs Pelicans Prediction: Pelicans +11.5
- Nuggets vs Pelicans Score: Nuggets 116 - Pelicans 108
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