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The resurgent Denver Nuggets will take on the playoff bound Pelicans as 2,5 spread underdogs.
Denver (4-7, 2-3 home) was a laughingstock early in the season, playing horrible basketball despite having a decent roster, allowing over 110 points per game in a 1-6 stretch. They are looking much better right now, winning 3 of the last 4 matches and keeping opponents well under 100 points per game, but at a closer look you can see that schedule had a lot to do with this run of form. Aside from a marvelous win at Cleveland (which in all honestly was a fluke), Denver played 3 teams that struggle big time offensively, were shorthanded and had a poor season: Indiana (won), New York (lost) and Oklahoma (won). All in all, Denver is on a 2 game winning streak and will look to make it 3 today.
Bet on Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans with the best NBA odds at Pinnacle.
The Pelicans have a 6-4 record (2-3 away) but they have been even better than their record shows. New Orleans met some very tough teams and played top class basketball, putting up 104.4 points per game and being led by Anthony Davis, who is averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds per game, already an MVP candidate. Everybody was expecting New Orleans to have a solid season, as they have a great roster, but they are surpassing some already high expectations.
I am going on the Pelicans to win this with a lot of confidence. They are the better team of course, but that`s a secondary aspect tonight in my opinion. I am counting on the fact that Denver has 2 wins in a row and it`s really unlikely for a mediocre side to play 3 great games in a row at this level, the hosts also still miss a couple of key players. Additionally, much of Denver`s strength and form is coming trough Kenneth Faried, but he will meet arguably the best frontcourt in the NBA tonight (Davis, Asik) so his production will very likely decrease. New Orleans also had one extra day of rest, so I will tip them to win this, covering a 2,5 point spread in the process. Denver`s only real argument is that they are traditionally a great home team, but that has not been the case this season and not enough of a factor to alter the bet on New Orleans. Prediction: Denver Nuggets – New Orleans Pelicans 100-110.
Pick: Pelicans -2,5
Odds: 1.95 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.6
Event date: 22 November
