Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans February 5th 2025

At 9:00 ET, the Denver Nuggets (-515) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+385) in a Western Conference matchup. The Nuggets are favored by 10.5 points and have won three straight games. The Pelicans have lost six straight and are 14th in the West.

This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver and can be seen on ALT. The over/under line for this game is 238.5 points.

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Pelicans vs. Nuggets Key Information

New Orleans fell to 12-38 on the season after a 125-113 road loss to the Nuggets on Monday. The Pelicans were +9.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 238 points came in just under the O/U line of 242.

Denver’s 12-0 run early on set the tone, taking the score from 12-9 to 21-12. New Orleans struggled in the first half, trailing 68-50 at the break. They fought back in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 35-25, but Denver pulled away in the 4th, outscoring the Pelicans 32-28.

Trey Murphy III was on fire from deep in the Pelicans’ loss to the Nuggets, hitting 8 threes at a 66.7% clip and finishing with 41 points, including 24 in the 3rd quarter. CJ McCollum added 5 threes, shooting 55.6% from beyond the arc, and scored 17 of his 30 points in the 4th quarter.

As a team, New Orleans connected on 18 threes, shooting 47.4% from long range, though their overall field goal percentage was just 43.2%. Zion Williamson struggled from the field, shooting 38.5% and finishing with 14 points, 7 of which came in the final period.

Defensively, the Pelicans struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 33 and 35 points, respectively, in their 125-113 loss to the Nuggets. They did tighten up in the 3rd, allowing just 25 points, but a 32-point 4th quarter from Denver sealed the game.

New Orleans allowed the Nuggets to shoot 50% from the field, including 36% from three, where Denver hit 12 threes. The Pelicans also sent the Nuggets to the line 26 times, with Denver converting 21 free throws. The Pelicans recorded 5 steals and 4 blocks.

The Nuggets improved to 31-19 on the season with a 125-113 win over the Pelicans on Monday. Denver, favored by 9.5 points, covered the spread at home. The game’s total of 238 points fell just short of the 242-point over/under line.

A key 12-0 run early in the game helped Denver take control, stretching the score from 12-9 to 21-12. They led 68-50 at halftime, but the Pelicans fought back in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 35-25. Denver responded in the 4th, outscoring New Orleans 32-28 to seal the win.

Michael Porter Jr. knocked down 7 threes at a 58.3% clip, finishing with 36 points and 7 rebounds in the Nuggets’ win over the Pelicans. Nikola Jokic added 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 69.2% from the field, while Jamal Murray contributed 20 points despite shooting 41.2%.

Porter scored 11 points in the 1st quarter and another 10 in the 4th. Jokic also had 11 points in the opening period and added 12 more in the 3rd. Julian Strawther chipped in 9 of his 15 points in the final quarter.

Defensively, the Nuggets gave up 113 points to the Pelicans but still secured the win. They allowed 23 points in the 1st quarter, 27 in the 2nd, and 28 in the 4th. The 3rd quarter was their toughest, giving up 35 points. Overall, they held New Orleans to 43% shooting from the field.

Denver struggled to defend the three, as the Pelicans hit 18 threes at a 47% clip. New Orleans also made 19 of 22 free throws. The Nuggets grabbed 32 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards. They added 7 steals and 6 blocks.

The Pelicans come in as the underdog at +10.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 238.5 and given that our model is projecting 228 points between the teams, we like the under.

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Nuggets Aim for Two-Game Sweep of Pelicans Ahead of Trade Deadline

As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Denver Nuggets will look to secure back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Pelicans when they meet for the second time in three nights on Wednesday in Denver.

Denver Overcoming Injuries with Depth Contributions

The Nuggets (32-15) earned a 125-113 victory over the Pelicans on Monday, despite missing Russell Westbrook (hamstring), Peyton Watson (knee), and Aaron Gordon (calf). Gordon is listed as questionable for Wednesday, while Westbrook will miss his third straight game and Watson remains out for at least four weeks.

The injuries have provided an opportunity for Denver’s bench players to step up.

• Zeke Nnaji made his first start in over two years and contributed 12 points in a season-high 31 minutes.
• Jalen Pickett also saw increased playing time, logging 13 minutes off the bench.

Head coach Michael Malone acknowledged the impact of the absences but praised his team’s depth.

“You never want to be without Russell Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, or Peyton Watson. But it’s an opportunity for those (other) guys to play,” Malone said.

Despite the missing players, Denver’s stars delivered in dominant fashion.

• Nikola Jokic recorded his NBA-leading 23rd triple-double of the season, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
• Michael Porter Jr. exploded for 36 points, while Jamal Murray added 20 points and 9 assists.

Jokic continues to put up historic numbers, averaging a triple-double for the season (29.5 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.3 assists), ranking among the top three in each statistical category.

New Orleans Leaning on Murphy Amid Injury Woes

The Pelicans (27-22) have been hit hard by injuries all season, with Brandon Ingram (ankle) missing the last 26 games, Herb Jones (shoulder) out for nearly a month, and Zion Williamson playing in just 14 of New Orleans’ 50 games.

They also lost Dejounte Murray to a ruptured Achilles on Friday, adding another challenge for head coach Willie Green.

However, Trey Murphy III has stepped up in a major way.

• Murphy matched his career-high with 41 points in Monday’s loss.
• Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 26.4 points per game, boosting his season average to 22.6 points, just behind Williamson (22.9) and ahead of CJ McCollum (22.1).

Pelicans coach Willie Green praised Murphy’s continued development.

“We have seen this from Trey since he started playing. He just continues to grow and grow. That is what we want to see from our guys. We are just extremely proud of his effort.”

McCollum also had a strong performance on Monday, scoring 30 points, but New Orleans struggled to contain Denver’s high-powered offense.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Nikola Jokic vs. Pelicans’ Interior Defense
   • Jokic dominated the first matchup and continues to dictate games with his all-around brilliance. Can New Orleans slow him down without Ingram and Jones?
2. Trey Murphy III vs. Denver’s Wing Defenders
   • Murphy has been on fire and will need another big scoring night to keep New Orleans in the game. Expect Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr. to take turns guarding him.
3. Denver’s Bench vs. New Orleans’ Depth
   • With Gordon and Westbrook potentially out again, Denver’s role players will need to step up once more. Can Nnaji and Pickett deliver again?

What to Expect

Denver has been nearly unstoppable at home, while New Orleans is still trying to adjust to its injury-riddled lineup. If Murphy and McCollum can replicate their offensive production from Monday, the Pelicans might have a chance to even the series. However, if Jokic and Porter Jr. continue their dominant play, the Nuggets should be in prime position for a two-game sweep.

Will Denver’s depth be enough to overcome its injury concerns, or can New Orleans find a way to bounce back on the road? The answers will unfold Wednesday night in the Mile High City.