Nuggets Giving 10 Points to Pelicans in Christmas Day Nightcap

• Denver has won seven straight and is currently sitting second in the Western Conference at 21-8, 2.5 games back of the Los Angeles Lakers
• The Pelicans, still without first-overall draft pick Zion Williamson, are second from bottom of the conference at 8-23
• Both teams have one Christmas Day win between them from seven games played by both franchises, coming all the way back in 1994 when the Nuggets hosted the former Seattle SuperSonics

Since the NBA started its tradition of Christmas Day games back in 1947 – in just its second season of existence – the home teams are 142-75 on December 25. However, that might be the only statistic that New Orleans has going for it heading into the Christmas Day nightcap.

Denver has won its last seven games in a row, a streak which included a 128-104 road mauling of LeBron James and the conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday, and currently sits second in the West at 21-8. Conversely, New Orleans, still without the injured first-overall draft pick Zion Williamson, is second from bottom, one spot above the Golden State Warriors with an 8-23 record.

Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds

Odds taken Dec. 24

But while the Nuggets may hold the edge when it comes to the Denver vs New Orleans odds for this contest, the Pelicans hold the upper hand in the head-to-head this season, having beaten the Nuggets 122-107 on their last visit to New Orleans on Halloween Night.

Steamrolling Into 2020

Led by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, Denver has been rolling of late and has gone 12-4 against Western Conference foes so far this season. But while Murray and Jokic have been providing much of the offense, it is the team defense that has really been laying the foundation for Denver’s success.

JAMAL MURRAY STEPS-BACK AND CONNECTS ON THE GO-AHEAD JUMPER!

2.5 left:@nuggets 113@Suns 111

📱💻: https://t.co/lZZApswzuX pic.twitter.com/QbftuGcO7m

— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2019

The Nuggets currently lead the NBA in team defense, restricting opposing teams to an average of 102.1 points and 44% shooting. And the team has been on a tear of late. In its five-game homestand from December 12-20, the Nuggets averaged 111.4 points per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 38.4 from the 3-point line.

Nikola #Jokic posted 6th triple-double of the season and 34th of his career with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nuggets beat the Suns 113-111. This was Nuggets 7th win in a row.#Joker #MileHighBasketball  #JokicMVPpic.twitter.com/aHmWdSdwXv

— Daily Nikola Jokic Dose (@JokicDose) December 24, 2019

And the starting five proved dominant over that stretch too, with the group combining to score at least 80 points in each of those five games.

Turning a Corner?

The good news for Pelican fans is that the team has won two of its last three games.

The bad? New Orleans had lost a franchise-record 13 in a row prior to its 107-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last Wednesday. Part of that moribund run, of course, can be put down to the continued absence of Williamson, still out with the right knee injury he suffered partway through the preseason.

FINAL, OT: Nets 108, Pelicans 101.

New Orleans has lost 13 consecutive games. Another new franchise record.

They’re 6-22. Six and twenty-two.

Pels played hard tonight and mostly defended/rebounded well. Glaring breakdowns in 4Q and OT ultimately cost them.

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) December 18, 2019

But all the blame can’t be heaped at the rookie’s door. In addition to being 7-14 in conference matchups, the Pelicans are 4-11 at home and have given up an average of 115.4 points per game on 46.1% shooting over their last 10 games, while averaging just 107.1 points of their own.

And they have been even worse over the course of the entire season, registering the third-worst team defense by giving up an average of 117.7 points per game on 46.9% shooting.

Holiday Cheer

The lone bright spot for the Pelicans has arguably been the pairing of Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday, who are averaging 25 and 19.7 points per game respectively.

Jrue Holiday (21 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST) did a little bit of everything to help New Orleans secure the win! 👏#WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/QvkTlrV07B

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 24, 2019

But on a team that was supposed to contend for the postseason, and is instead jostling with the Warriors, Knicks and Hawks for the worst overall record and the best chance of winning next year’s draft lottery, the pair are likely mere trade chips in a rebuilding year.

Pick: Nuggets to cover (-10)