The New Orleans Pelicans (28-36), 13.5-point underdogs, will travel to the Pepsi Center to clash against the Denver Nuggets (42-19). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 234 points and it will air on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets ATS Odds
In the Pelicans’ last contest, they beat the Phoenix Suns, 130-116, as 6.5-point underdogs. The Nuggets, meanwhile, were beaten by the Utah Jazz, 111-104, and failed to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. The New Orleans game finished 6 points over the projected point total of 240, while the Denver game finished 10 points under the projected point total of 225.
The Pelicans had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.667 (above their season average of 0.531) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.0 (above their season average of 24.5). Denver, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.0 vs. 20.4). Denver’s Will Barton had a solid performance, putting up 21 points and 13 rebounds. New Orleans, meanwhile, was led by Cheick Diallo, who had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Nuggets lead the season series two games to one. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 204 points, well under the projected point total of 226.5. Denver won 105-99 but was unable to cover as a 9-point favorite. The Nuggets’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Pelicans. Denver had a rate of 8.5, while New Orleans posted a mark of 12.9. Nikola Jokic put up a triple-double in the victory, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Just over half of the Pelicans’ games have finished over the total. New Orleans heads into the contest with records of 28-36 straight up (SU) and 31-31-1 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike New Orleans, a little over half of Nuggets games have finished under the total. Additionally, Denver owns records of 42-19 SU and 33-28 ATS.
The Pelicans’ Elfrid Payton has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 10 points,8.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Paul Millsap has averaged 17 points,12.4 rebounds,2.4 steals,1.4 blocks during that same time frame for the Nuggets.
The prolific offense of Denver will face off against the porous defense of New Orleans. The Nuggets rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Pelicans are 25th in defensive efficiency. The Nuggets should have the advantage on that end of the court.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Nuggets rank 13th in steals per game (7.8) while the Pelicans rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.4).
- Denver ranks second in assists per game (27.7) while New Orleans ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (26.1).
- The Nuggets rank fourth in points in the paint per game (53.4) while the Pelicans rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.4).
- Denver ranks second in second chance points per game (15.6) while New Orleans ranks 17th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
- New Orleans averages 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Denver ranks 17th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
- The Nuggets rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Pelicans rank 23rd (17.6).
- The Nuggets rank first in rebounds allowed per game (41.9) while the Pelicans rank 16th (44.7).
- Denver averages 31.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (33.2).
- Denver ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (11.7) while New Orleans ranks 22nd (14.8).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, New Orleans is 5-2 and Denver is 19-1.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Pelicans are 28-30 and the Nuggets are 40-14.
- Denver is 22-10 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 15-17-1 ATS on the road.
- The Pelicans have 19 overs and 14 unders in 33 road games.
- The Nuggets have 17 overs and 15 unders in 32 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Nuggets are 3-2.
- In their last five games, New Orleans has 4 overs and 1 under, while Denver has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Pelicans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, up from 0.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 116.4 points per game (4.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
