Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 11/17/2018

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1.5 point favorites.

The Nuggets head into this matchup with a mark of 10-5. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 7.9 as they average 111.1 points per contest while giving up 103.2 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 7-7. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 117.0 points per contest and give up 115.8, which is a point differential of 1.2.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 8-7-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 6-9-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 6-8-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 7-6-0 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

10/22/18 G Will Barton Hip is out indefinitely
10/11/18 G Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/15/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle injured last game, is doubtful Friday vs New York
11/14/18 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is questionable Friday vs New York
10/11/18 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this contest averaging 17.0 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.1 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.9 assists per contest and 10.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 19.1 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 9.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Anthony Davis averages 25.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.7 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 111.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.9 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 47.1 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.8 per game. The Nuggets allow 103.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.3 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 23.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the league with 117.0 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.9. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Pelicans surrender 115.8 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 6th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.5, and their defensive rating of 105.5 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Denver is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 12th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 111.4, and their offensive rating of 112.5 is ranked 23rd. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 104 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 8th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans -1.5

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