Both the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets are in need of a pick-me-up victory after losing multiple games. One of them is going to get exactly that when they meet for the third time this season.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, February 1, at 11 AM, Manila time

Away: New Orleans Pelicans (26-25/9-16 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: C.J. McCollum 
  • SG: Herbert Jones
  • SF: Trey Murphy
  • PF: Naji Marshall
  • C: Jonas Valanciunas

The Pelicans have taken a complete nosedive, but it’s still not too late for them to turn things around. New Orleans is on an eight-game losing skid after getting victimized by the Milwaukee Bucks on the road last Monday, 135-110. Still without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram plus CJ McCollum, the Pelicans simply did not have enough firepower to even look respectable against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.  

McCollum is no longer on the injury report, so he should be good to go this Wednesday. There’s also  Jose Alvarado, who could be the x-factor for New Orleans against the Nuggets. Remember that Grand Theft Alvarado went off for 38 points off the bench when the Pelicans took down the Nuggets at home last December, 121-106.  Also don’t sleep on the Pelicans having a surprising performance in Mile High City. They have won four of their last six visits to Denver. Moreover, the Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games there.

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Home: Denver Nuggets (34-16/22-4 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Jamal Murray (questionable)
  • SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • SF: Michael Porter Jr.
  • PF: Aaron Gordon
  • C: Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets have been inconsistent of late. After stitching together nine wins in a row, the Nuggets have lost three of their last four games and both of their last two. In their most recent outing, the Nuggets suffered a 126-119 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers on the road last Sunday. But a return to Denver to meet the last team they’ve beaten seems like good news for Nikola Jokic and company. Denver thumped the Pelicans last week on the road, 99-98. 

Jokic and Jamal Murray balled out in that game to help Denver survive the pesky Pellies, as each star scored 25 points, with Jokic adding 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes of work. Denver has the best home record in the NBA so far this season, as they are 22-4 overall at Ball Arena. Conversely, the Pelicans, apart from being in the middle of an ugly stretch, are only 9-16 SU on the road. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Nuggets (-7.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (234) hits the Under.