The New Orleans Pelicans are still looking for their first win of the season, and earning it won’t be easy as they take on the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday night.
New Orleans might also be down its best player, as Zion Williamson deals with a foot injury.
That plays a big part in the Pelicans listed as 13-point road underdogs in the NBA odds.
My Pelicans vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks have the home team taking care of business.
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Pelicans vs Nuggets prediction
Pelicans vs Nuggets best bet: Nuggets -13 (-112 at bet365)
After opening the season with an OT loss at Golden State, the Denver Nuggets have bounced back with back-to-back blowout wins over the Suns and Timberwolves.
The script has been a little slightly altered, but perhaps for the better over the last two games, as Jamal Murray has led the team in scoring each of the last two games, including a season-high 43 against Minny.
Don’t worry, Nikola Jokic is still his dominant self, as he’s recorded a triple-double in all three games so far this season.
Denver is second in league scoring at a scorching 130.3 points per game.
It’s a pace that the New Orleans Pelicans were already hard pressed to keep up with, but more so if Zion Williamson can’t go. He’s currently listed as a game-time decision.
With Zion in the lineup, the Pelicans were averaging 119 points, with an average point differential of minus-five. When they were without him against Boston, they were crushed in a 32-point home loss to the Celtics.
NOLA is already down big man Kevon Looney (knee) while Dejounte Murray (Achilles) won't be back until after 2026.
Going back to last season, New Orleans is just 0-6-1 against the spread in their last seven games, including 0-2-1 ATS to start this campaign.
The Nuggets have won three straight against the Pelicans, and seven of the last 10 overall.
I like them to cruise, with or without Zion in the lineup.
Pelicans vs Nuggets same-game parlay
We’ll wrap a three-leg SGP around Denver’s stars. Nikola Jokic has had at least 13 rebounds in every game this season, and he won’t face much resistance in this one, with Yves Missi, Derik Queen and old buddy DeAndre Jordan playing the center position in NOLA.
Jamal Murray has started out hot this season averaging 30.3 points on 53% shooting from the field, and has scored at least 23 points in every game so far.
He’s only cracked 23 points in a game vs the Pels once in his last five, but this looks like a healthy and engaged Murray out the gate.
Pelicans vs Nuggets SGP
- Nuggets -13
- Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
- Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Gordon simmers down
Aaron Gordon started out gangbusters from 3-point range, going 10-for-11 in the opener against Golden State, but has cooled significantly, going just 1-for-8 over the last two.
He hasn’t had much success spotting up against NOLA either, hitting two triples in a game just one over the last six meetings.
We’ll wrap with Trey Murphy, who’s added playmaking to his ever-expanding game. He’s had five dimes in each of his last two outings, and dropped nine on the Nuggets last time they played.
Pelicans vs Nuggets SGP
- Nuggets -13
- Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
- Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points
- Aaron Gordon Under 1.5 three-point makes
- Trey Murphy Over 3.5 assists
Pelicans vs Nuggets odds
- Spread: Pelicans +12.5 (-110) | Nuggets -12.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Pelicans +525 | Nuggets -750
- Over/Under: Over 238.5 (-110) | Under 238.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Nuggets betting trend to know
New Orleans has lost five of its last six at Denver. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Pelicans vs Nuggets
| Location | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date | Wednesday, October 29, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | GCSEN, ALT |
Pelicans vs Nuggets latest injuries
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