Pelicans vs Nuggets prediction

Denver arrives in New Orleans with a 6-4 record and a 123-118 win at Memphis on 12 November, in which Jamal Murray scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, according to the official recap. New Orleans is 4-8 and last in the Southwest standings, on a four-game losing streak. Its most recent results were a 111-145 home loss to Brooklyn on 12 November, an 87-138 loss at Golden State on 10 November and a 123-139 loss at the Clippers on 9 November. That gap in form and record is the main reason the forecast leans toward Denver. The Pelicans' injury picture adds to the case, though reports conflict. One report lists Trey Murphy, Yves Missi and Bryce McGowens as doubtful, and says Bennedict Mathurin is expected to miss a second straight game with a right thumb sprain. A separate team preview also notes Missi and Trendon Watford as absent. Denver has its own caution. It lost 100-110 at Houston on 10 November, and a report says players were worn down by a delayed flight before that game. The Nuggets are also on the road, with a 3-2 away record. The thing to watch is the final availability of Murphy and Mathurin. If both play, New Orleans is much less thin than its recent scorelines suggest, and the game tightens.