Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/6/2017

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 4 point favorites.

The Nuggets head into this matchup with a mark of 13-10. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.2 as they are averaging 106.8 points per contest while giving up 107.0 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 12-12. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 108.9 points per contest and giving up 110.1, which is a point differential of -1.2.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 9-14-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 10-13-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 13-11-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 13-11-0 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/03/17 C Nikola Jokic Ankle is out indefinitely
11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/03/17 F Anthony Davis Groin is "?" Wednesday vs Denver
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Will Barton comes into this game averaging 15.8 points per contest while playing 30 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 70%. Gary Harris averages 14.9 points per contest in 33.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.8 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per contest for Denver. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins has scored 25.3 points per contest while playing 35.5 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 12.3 rebounds per contest and has 5.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Jrue Holiday averages 16.3 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.4 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 106.8 points per contest this year, which is 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.17 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 12th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They average 45.1 boards per contest and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 10th with 15.9 per game. The Nuggets allow 107 points per contest which is 18th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 28th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.6 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they allow 24.5 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 7th in the NBA with 108.9 points per contest this season. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -1.21. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 14th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.8 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.2. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per contest with 16.3. The Pelicans give up 110.1 points per game, which ranks them 27th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 20th with 43.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 109.4 is ranked 9th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 10th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA. Denver is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league. The Pelicans are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald