Stopping Jokic will be no easy task: New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets prediction
New Orleans Pelicans
Denver Nuggets
The New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets will meet overnight on November 14–15 in the NBA regular season. In the United States, the game is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. ET, which is 1:00 a.m. Central European Time on Sunday. The game will be played at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center. I’m backing a winner in this matchup.
H2H and stats
- The Pelicans are on a five-game losing streak.
- Denver have lost just one of their last five road games.
- The Nuggets have already beaten New Orleans twice this season.
- The Pelicans have lost their last eight games against Denver.
New Orleans Pelicans: the defense can’t contain opponents
The Pelicans head into their matchup with Denver on a five-game losing streak. Their second-to-last defeat was especially painful: New Orleans fell to the Brooklyn Nets 145–111, giving up 83 points in the first half alone. The team couldn’t contain its opponent’s offense and once again showed serious defensive frailties. At 4–9, the Pelicans sit near the bottom of the Western Conference.
New Orleans have conceded at least 138 points in each of their recent games. Before losing to Brooklyn, they fell to the Golden State Warriors (138–87) and the Los Angeles Clippers (139–123), and had previously lost to Minnesota (115–109). This run points not only to opponents’ scoring power but also to the Pelicans’ inability to defend consistently for the full 48 minutes.
Zion Williamson remains the team’s primary offensive option. His power and ability to attack the rim could prove a major weapon against Denver. Dejounte Murray and Jeremiah Fears can also support their leader, but they need to get more involved in creating scoring opportunities and avoid leaving the entire burden on Williamson.
Personnel issues are another concern for the hosts. Trey Murphy III has missed recent games with a knee issue, while center Yves Missi is also sidelined. The Pelicans will also face Denver after playing Memphis on Friday, making this the second game in as many days. The demanding schedule could take a toll on the team’s legs, particularly if they have to spend long stretches defending against one of the league’s most organized offenses.
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Denver Nuggets: Jokic and Murray are hitting their stride
Denver head to Louisiana with a 6–4 record, fresh off an important 123–118 win over Memphis. The Nuggets held on in a tense finish and have won five of their last seven games. They previously lost to Houston (110–100), but before that beat Indiana (114–102) and Toronto (128–109).
Jamal Murray was instrumental against Memphis, putting up 30 points, eight assists and four rebounds. He was particularly productive in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 points. Nikola Jokic added 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Cameron Johnson finished with 23 points. That offensive depth makes Denver dangerous even when opponents focus their defense on the team’s biggest stars.
Jokic remains the central figure in the Nuggets’ system. The Serbian center can score and dominate the boards, while also creating opportunities for his teammates with his exceptional court vision. His partnership with Murray is one of the main reasons Denver remain such a potent offensive team, capable of scoring in a variety of ways.
The visitors also have an extra psychological edge: they have already beaten the Pelicans twice this season. Denver won 141–135 in overtime in October, then claimed a 104–91 victory. Still, the Nuggets must not underestimate their opponents: even amid their losing streak, New Orleans have players capable of putting together a big-scoring performance.
What’s the best bet?
Denver are clear favorites. The Nuggets have had the better season, are playing more consistently and have the Jokic–Murray duo, who can punish any defensive lapse. New Orleans, meanwhile, have been struggling defensively, and their packed schedule could make things even tougher. The Pelicans may put up a fight through Williamson’s individual brilliance and the backing of their home crowd, but Denver should have the edge over the course of the game. My prediction is a Denver Nuggets win with an -8-point handicap.
