Denver (30-14) at New Orleans (17-28)
When: Friday, January 24th, 2020
Where: Smoothie King Center,
New Orleans, LA
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: FS New Orleans
Opening Odds: New Orleans -3/231
The New Orleans Pelicans might have lost the other night, but the place was rocking and the fans left the building with a sense of real optimism seeing their newest star shine bright. The Pelicans will look to stay in the playoff race in Zion Williamson’s second game when they host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. It was one of the most anticipated debuts ever and Williamson didn’t disappoint in New Orleans’ 121-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The former Duke star recorded 22 points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes – 17 of those points in the fourth quarter including four straight 3-pointers. Williamson was then removed from the game due to his minutes restriction. The Pelicans enter Thursday’s action just four games behind the Spurs for the eighth and final playoff spot, while Denver comes in sitting in fourth place. The Nuggets were missing five players on Wednesday and fell to the Rockets 121-105 for its eighth straight loss in Houston. New Orleans is already 2-0 this season against the Nuggets including a 122-107 home win on Halloween night.
Despite all the injuries, Denver is 16-6 over their last 22 games and have scored at least 100 points in all of them, but the defense and lack of key players did them in on Wednesday in Houston. Starting guards Jamal Murray (ankle) and Gary Harris (groin) have missed four and five games respectively. Starting power forward Paul Millsap (knee) has missed the last eight while forward Michael Porter Jr. (back) and Mason Plumlee (foot) also were sidelined against the Rockets. Harris and Porter are questionable for Friday, while the others have been ruled out. Star center Nikola Jokic committed six turnovers on Wednesday, but still managed his 36th career triple-double (19 points, 12 rebounds,10 assists).
Another former Duke star is a key contributor to this young Pelicans team. Small forward Brandon Ingram scored 22 points against San Antonio for his fourth straight 20-point outing despite hitting just six of his 22 shots. Williamson will remain on a minutes restriction and he wasn’t too pleased with being pulled out with 5:23 remaining on Wednesday. The Pelicans’ defense has been an issue recently, allowing over 120 points four times in the past six games and are 29th in the league in scoring defense (117.7). New Orleans will wrap-up their three-game homestand versus Boston on Sunday.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, the Pelicans have been playing really well and their getting a banged-up Denver team. They need to take advantage of that, and I believe they will.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Friday. He is 47-42-3 on the season!
Pick: Pelicans -3
Nuggets are 5-0-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Nuggets are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Nuggets are 3-8-2 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Nuggets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pelicans are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Pelicans are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Pelicans are 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Pelicans are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
Pelicans are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Pelicans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Pelicans are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Pelicans are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games as a home favorite.
Pelicans are 5-21-2 ATS in their last 28 Friday games.
Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 Friday games.
Over is 7-1 in Nuggets last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 6-1 in Nuggets last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Nuggets last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Nuggets last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 overall.
Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 games as a road underdog.
Over is 7-3 in Nuggets last 10 road games.
Over is 11-5 in Nuggets last 16 games as an underdog.
Over is 5-0 in Pelicans last 5 games as a favorite.
Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 6-0 in Pelicans last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 7-0 in Pelicans last 7 home games.
Over is 12-1 in Pelicans last 13 overall.
Over is 12-1 in Pelicans last 13 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-1 in Pelicans last 12 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 10-1 in Pelicans last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-1 in Pelicans last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Pelicans last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 42-18 in Pelicans last 60 games as a home favorite.
Over is 9-4-1 in Pelicans last 14 Friday games.
Under is 11-5 in Pelicans last 16 games following a ATS loss.
Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in New Orleans.
Nuggets are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New Orleans.
