Pelicans vs Nuggets Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: McCollum Struggles in Denver

Friday’s nightcap of NBA action is a good one as Zion Williamson and the surging New Orleans Pelicans head to the Mile High City to take on Nikola Jokic and the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

The Pelicans have finally been healthy and it’s showing. New Orleans has won six of its last seven games straight up going 5-2 ATS. That said, the injury bug might bite them tonight as several key players, including Williamson, are questionable for this matchup.

The Pels will need all hands on deck as the NBA odds have them as sizeable underdogs against Jokic and the champs who have won 11 of their last 15 games overall.

I break down this Western Conference matchup and bring you the best bet, plus a same-game parlay in my NBA picks and predictions for Pelicans vs. Nuggets on Friday, January 12. 

Pelicans vs Nuggets odds

Pelicans vs Nuggets predictions

The New Orleans Pelicans come into this game flying high. The Pelicans enter this matchup having won six of their last seven overall, which includes back-to-back blowout wins over the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.

The Pelicans now sit in sixth place in the Western Conference, just 2.5 games behind tonight’s opponent, the Denver Nuggets. A big reason for that success has been because they have been healthy and the depth of the roster has been able to shine.

Unfortunately, the status of several key Pelicans is up in the air for this matchup. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III are all listed as questionable. 

Meanwhile, the Nuggets haven’t been playing too shabby either, going 12-4 straight up in their last 16 games overall, and 9-7 ATS. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic continues to do his thing, averaging 25.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, leading a Nuggets team that ranks eighth in offensive rating. 

Somehow, Denver continues to get overlooked as a defensive team. The Nuggets rank 10th in defensive rating and seventh in opponent-effective field goal percentage. They also do an excellent job of defending the perimeter. 

The Nuggets allow the third-fewest 3-point attempts and the fourth-fewest 3-point makes per game while ranking 12th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. That makes me believe Denver will do a great job at containing McCollum in this matchup.

The Pelicans shooting guard is questionable for this game with an ankle injury but if does suit up, this will be a tough matchup for him as he relies heavily on the deep ball, attempting 7.9 threes per game. 

McCollum is averaging 19.7 points per game this season, but that’s down to 18.6 over his last 11 games. His point total for this game is sitting at 21.5. He’s fallen below that number seven times in his last 11 games, and with the Nuggets’ ability to limit and contest his 3-point opportunities I like him to stay Under that number yet again.

My best bet: CJ McCollum Under 21.5 points (-120 at BetMGM)

Pelicans vs Nuggets same-game parlay

CJ McCollum Under 21.5 points

Nikola Jokic Over 24.5 points

Herbert Jones Under 10.5 points

+475 at bet365

As always our same-game parlay tips off with our best bet, which for this Western Conference showdown is CJ McCollum to stay Under his point prop which is sitting at 21.5. While buckets could be hard to come by for McCollum, that may not be the case for Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets’ star big man is averaging 25.5 points this season and he’s been a matchup nightmare for the Pelicans, which is interesting considering the Pels are a big team. 

Jokic has had his way with Pelicans’ center Jonas Valanciunas, averaging 25.2 points in 19 career matchups and in the two matchups earlier this year the Joker put up 35 and 26 points. Jokic’s point total for this matchup is set at 24.5. Let’s add the Over. A number he’s gone Over in seven of his last 11 games.

Finally, let’s close this SGP out with another points prop. This time looking at defensive specialist Herbert Jones. Nearly half of Jones’ field goal attempts are from 3-point range and he is averaging 10.7 points per game this season.

That’s down to 8.8 points per game over his last 12 and has been held below double digits eight times over that span. I’m taking Jones to stay Under 10.5 points as well.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Pelicans vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis

Both teams enter this matchup playing well, to the point where the Pelicans and Nuggets rank sixth and fifth respectively in the NBA when it comes to net rating.

Now, these two teams have already faced off twice earlier this season with the Nuggets winning the first meeting 134-116 as 6.5-point home favorites back on Nov. 6. But the Pelicans responded with a 115-110 win as 4.5-point home underdogs on Nov. 17.

So, when you see this line sitting there at Denver -8, it makes you pause and think. It feels like one or more of those guys listed as questionable for New Orleans will sit this one until but until you know for sure who is in and out of this ball game it’s hard to have a lean on the spread.

The same could be said for the total, which hit the board at 228 and has been bet up slightly to 229 as of early Friday afternoon. That first meeting flew Over a total of 222 and the second stayed Under a number of 227.

Once again, keep an eye on the status of the Pelicans players, and if you want to bet a total I might look at the Nuggets team total instead.

Pelicans vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Pelicans have only hit the Team Total Over in 31 of their last 79 games for -24.1 units. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Nuggets.

Pelicans vs Nuggets game info

Pelicans vs Nuggets latest injuries

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