New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets NBA Picks & Predictions 11/17/2017

Friday, November 17, 2017

Pepsi Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Pepsi Center to play the Denver Nuggets on Friday, November 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 8-7. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.2 as they are averaging 108.0 points per game while giving up 108.2 per contest. The Nuggets have an overall mark of 8-6. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 105.8 points per contest and giving up 104.8, which is a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 9-6-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 7-8-0 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 5-9-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 5-9-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/16/17 G Tony Allen Knee is "?" Friday vs. Denver
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

11/13/17 G Gary Harris Shoulder is "?" Friday vs. New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 14.4 points per game while playing 37.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Demarcus Cousins averages 28 points per game in 37.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.7 assists per contest and 13.7 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 16.4 points per game while playing 31.5 minutes per contest this year for the Nuggets. He grabs 11.6 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%. Will Barton averages 14.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 3.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 108 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.2 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 25.6 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 16.7 per game. The Pelicans allow 108.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 22.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 15th in the league with 105.8 points per game this year. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 23.6. The Nuggets are 11th in turnovers per game with 16.1. The Nuggets surrender 104.8 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest and 13th with 42.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107, and their defensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. New Orleans is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 12th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Nuggets are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.4, and their defensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 14th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +5

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