The New Orleans Pelicans have found a groove as they aim to make the jump to legitimate Western Conference playoff contender. They will aim to pick up another victory on the road against the Denver Nuggets in a regular season matchup.
Denver has also looked good lately and this will good be a good measuring stick game for both sides. The Nuggets don’t have the same type of star power as the Pelicans but are playing well as a team and could be favored as the home team. Both of these teams have the potential to make the postseason based on the way they look early on and could use every win they can muster, so this is a big game on both sides.
This war on the floor will go down riday, November 17, 2017, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Pepsi Center. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Both teams are playing well so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the spread is pretty close. The Pelicans have more high-end talent but it would be silly to dismiss a Nuggets team which has reeled off seven wins in its past 10 games.
Denver is 8-6 on the season while New Orleans comes in with the same record. The home court advantage could be the difference in diagnosing a favorite.
Injury Report
Gary Harris — The Nuggets’ point guard has been sidelined of late with a shoulder injury and his status for this game is currently up in the air. It is a big loss as Harris is a starter for Denver.
He is averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds and a team-best 1.75 steals per game. While there are others who are bigger keys to the team’s success, Harris is definitely a key contributor. Nikola Jokic has taken a big step forward this season and there may be more on his plate in terms of running the offense.
Jokic is averaging 16.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per contest. His assist total could be higher in this one without Harris.
Player To Watch
Anthony Davis -- The best player in this game will be New Orleans’ star forward. The Nuggets must do a good job of keeping him in check. Davis is averaging 26.2 points per game with 11.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest.
The Pelicans added DeMarcus Cousins last year via trade and he has been a nice complement, but the team still belongs to Davis. He is shooting 56.5 percent from the field and is capable of taking over games at any time. Just ask the Pacers. Davis had 37 points and 14 rebounds against them recently to help lead his team to the victory.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Spurs and Thunder are expected to be the class of the Western Conference during the 2017-18 season. However, there is some uncertainty behind them, and the Nuggets and Pelicans have played well enough early in the year to be considered in that next rung.
The presence of Davis and Cousins gives New Orleans one of the most formidable frontcourts in the NBA, but the Nuggets are proving they won’t be a pushover in this one. Take Denver to pull out a close win behind a big game from Jokic.
There is a long way to go in the season, but grabbing another win would be a good sign for a Denver team which is trying to take a positive step forward this year.
NBA Odds: Nuggets 108, Pelicans 105
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