The Denver Nuggets will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, with the game tipping at 9 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Denver is favored by 12.5 points and the game total is set to 239.5 points.
Below, I break down this matchup and provide a pick for the game.
Nuggets vs. Pelicans preview, prediction
The Nuggets have gotten off to a great start this season, posting a 2-1 record and the league’s third-best net rating. That lone loss came in the season-opening overtime thriller versus the Golden State Warriors on the road. The key to Denver’s success has been its offense, which ranks second in offensive rating. Nikola Jokić has been brilliant as always, notching a triple-double in every game thus far, and Jamal Murray has been on fire, leading the team with 30.3 PPG while shooting 53% from the field.
The Nuggets defense has been subpar, ranking 19th in defensive rating, but opposing offenses have struggled to keep up with Denver’s red-hot offense. Tonight should be no exception; New Orleans is one of only three remaining winless teams and, as a bottom-five unit on both offense and defense, ranks second-to-last in net rating. The Pelicans’ offseason was dominated by hype about Zion Williamson’s improved physical condition, but the forward missed Monday’s game with a foot injury and is questionable to play tonight.
Williamson has looked strong in his two starts, leading the Pelicans with 27 PPG, but he can’t do it alone. On top of Williamson already being banged up, Trey Murphy III has had a slow start to the season, averaging just 14.7 PPG on 38.6% shooting after averaging a career-high 21 PPG in 2024-25. After shipping Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum off in the last year, New Orleans is very invested in Murphy as one of franchise’s main players, and if the 25-year-old doesn’t turn his game around soon, the Pelicans will be in big trouble, especially if Williamson can’t stay healthy. If the forward is forced to miss time, Murphy and Jordan Poole will be asked to lead the way for New Orleans.
Not including the playoffs, Williamson has missed an eye-popping 56% of his games since joining the NBA six years ago as one of the most touted prospects in history. Given his track record, Williamson looks unlikely to play and, even if he does suit up, he might not be 100%. All in all, with or without Williamson, this young Pelicans team is no match for a surging Nuggets squad playing on its home floor. This game could get out of hand fast.
Nuggets vs. Pelicans pick, best bet
The Pelicans stand little chance in this matchup, and the Nuggets should cruise to an easy win. Denver has a strong chance of covering against the spread at -12.5, and the line would almost certainly move further in its direction if Williamson were to be ruled out.
