Pelicans Looking for First Win; Listed at +160 to Beat Nuggets on October 31st

• New Orleans Pelicans start season 0-4
• Nuggets now 3-1 after loss to Dallas Mavericks
• Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

The Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans meet at Smoothie King Center on Thursday October 31^st. Denver are looking to bounce back from a defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, their first of the season.

New Orleans, meanwhile, are hoping to end a four-game losing streak that leaves them as one of two winless teams in the NBA so far.

It’s no surprise to see the Nuggets favored at -180 to claim a fourth win of the season. The Pelicans are priced at +160 as home underdogs.

Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds

Odds taken Oct. 31.

Pelicans’ Poor Defense

Injury absences have been the main story of New Orleans’ season so far. First overall pick Zion Williamson is recovering from a knee injury. Veterans Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors have combined for just 135 minutes. Holiday is listed as probable to face the Nuggets, however.

Holiday and Favors’ respective injuries have contributed to New Orleans’ defensive woes. They rank 28^th in the NBA in defensive rating. Opponents have taken a whopping 44% of their shots from around the rim and over 37% from beyond the arc. That’s the sort of shot chart most NBA offenses are aiming for.

Hello, NOLA!#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/0Lnx2efcCk

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 30, 2019

Holiday’s return should help the defense on the perimeter. Favors isn’t likely to return, which will make the Pelicans vulnerable in the paint. Denver is shooting just 53.9% from around the rim, but Thursday’s game represents a great opportunity to improve on that.

Nuggets From Deep

In the paint and from mid-range, Denver have got off to a slow start. From three-point range, however, the Nuggets are shooting 36.2% as a team, good for 13^th best in the league. Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Gary Harris and Malik Beasley are all shooting north of 42% from deep. Their hot starts from beyond the arc have helped to carry the offense.

The Nuggets should get plenty of good looks from three against this Pelicans defense. While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have shot 23.1% and 31.8% respectively from deep so far this season, the supporting cast has been vital. Barton, Millsap and Harris combined for 58 of Denver’s 106 points against the Mavericks.

Aside from poor shooting inside the three-point line, one of the primary factors in Denver’s poor offensive start has been ball movement. They are averaging almost 50 fewer passes per game than they did in 2018-19. Only five teams average fewer than their 22 assists per game.

Murray, in particular, has been guilty of poor decision making, too often settling for dodgy shots. He is also averaging just 3.3 assists per game so far – he averaged 4.8 last season. Against a struggling Pelicans defense, Murray should see this game as a chance to kickstart his campaign.

Ingram Leads the Way

Brandon Ingram has been the star of the Pelicans’ season, averaging over 27 points per game along with 9.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. On the whole, New Orleans’ offense has been good – their offensive rating is sixth-best in the league.

Four games in, @B_Ingram13 already breaking records#WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/FV2DPgzWt9

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 31, 2019

Ingram’s role against Denver is significant. The Nuggets have defended well so far, with Harris and Barton excelling. Ingram must get the better of that matchup for New Orleans to notch their first win.

High Scoring Affair

This is a clash of styles as the fourth-fastest team in the league host the slowest. Holiday’s return will boost the Pelicans defensively, but a high-scoring game still seems probable.

Denver will be tested by the Pelicans’ pace, and Okafor could have a tough time against Jokic. It’s a fascinating matchup and should provide an entertaining game – the over looks good value.

Pick: Over 226 (-110)