Denver visits Smoothie King Center for a 7 p.m. ET tip on NBA League Pass. The Nuggets have won both meetings this season and have been off since Wednesday. New Orleans plays its second game in two nights after losing 142-111 to Memphis at home. The Pelicans can try to make Denver run, but the Nuggets have already shown they can win this matchup at either speed. Verified U.S. sportsbook odds were not available at the time of writing.
Denver Can Get Good Shots Without Chasing the Pace
The Nuggets are 6-4 and 4-2 on the road after beating Memphis 123-118 on Wednesday. This is their fourth consecutive road game, so the trip is a consideration even with two days off. The difference is that Denver has had time to prepare for New Orleans, while the Pelicans had to play Memphis first.
Denver’s effective field-goal percentage was 55.0% entering the weekend. The Nuggets can get to a high-quality shot through an elbow touch, a cut, or a second action after the first pick-and-roll stalls. That matters against a team that wants to run: Denver doesn’t have to take the first available shot just because New Orleans is trying to quicken the game.
The first two meetings are a useful contrast. Denver needed 141 points in the overtime game on October 24, then won with 104 four days later. Saturday’s best route looks more like controlling possessions than trying to repeat the first game’s scoring.
New Orleans Has to String Together Stops
The Pelicans are 4-9 and 3-5 at home after giving up 142 to Memphis. Brooklyn put up 145 in the same building on Wednesday. The Pelicans scored 111 in each loss. That output can keep a team in an ordinary game, but it leaves no room when the defense is giving up points at that rate.
New Orleans played at an estimated 105.7 possessions per game before Friday, compared with Denver’s 100.0. The Pelicans’ best use of that speed is to run after clean stops. Quick shots after makes or rushed attempts against a set defense can give Denver the easier chances going the other way.
New Orleans had wing and frontcourt availability concerns coming into Friday. Saturday’s report matters because those groups have different jobs against Denver: the wings have to close out and recover, while the bigs have to defend passing angles without conceding deep catches. Staying home for both games removes travel, but the second-night rotation is still a factor.
Team Comparison Chart
| Measure | Denver | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Current record | 6-4 | 4-9 |
| Relevant venue split | 4-2 road | 3-5 home |
| Points scored / allowed per game | 114.5 / 113.3 | 116.9 / 124.3 |
| Estimated possessions per game | 100.0 | 105.7 |
| Effective field-goal percentage | 55.0% | 52.7% |
| Offensive rebound percentage | 25.0% | 24.9% |
Records include Friday’s result. Rate statistics are from the pre-Friday snapshot.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Date | Result | Combined Points |
|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Denver 104, New Orleans 91 | 195 |
| October 24, 2026 | Denver 141, New Orleans 135 (OT) | 276 |
Position-by-Position Matchups
| Position | Matchup to Watch | What It Favors |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | New Orleans needs to advance the ball before Denver sets its help defense. | New Orleans in transition; Denver in the half court. |
| Shooting guard | The Pelicans need perimeter makes to keep Denver from helping into the lane. | Denver if it can contest without giving up drives. |
| Small forward | Denver’s cutters can get behind defenders who turn their heads toward the ball. | Denver against early help. |
| Power forward | New Orleans can get to the line by attacking before the second defender arrives. | New Orleans when it gets early paint touches. |
| Center | Denver can make the opposing big choose between contesting a shot and taking away a pass. | Denver’s clearest half-court edge. |
Nuggets vs Pelicans Picks and Predictions
Straight-Up Pick: Denver Nuggets
I like Denver because it has the better shooting efficiency, more rest, and a half-court offense that doesn’t need the Pelicans to play fast. New Orleans can put pressure on the pick by forcing turnovers and turning the game into a series of short possessions. I trust Denver to control more of the game, particularly late.
Spread and Total: Pending
Denver is the side I’d examine first once a line is verified. The total depends more on New Orleans: if Denver keeps the ball out of transition, the Pelicans may struggle to match their season scoring average. The two prior games are too different to use as a single scoring baseline.
Final straight-up pick: Denver Nuggets. Projected score: Denver 121, New Orleans 108.
More NBA picks and predictions.
Prepared November 13, 2026. Odds, injury designations and starting lineups may change.