Nuggets vs. Pelicans Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for January 31 (Expect a Defensive Battle at Ball Arena)

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Game Info

• Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
• Time: 10:00 PM ET
• Venue: Ball Arena -- Denver, Colorado
• Coverage: TNT

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Tuesday with five more games, including a battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans rank eighth in the Western Conference with a 26-25 record, while the Nuggets check in first with a 34-16 record. This lines up as an intense game.

New Orleans enters on an eight-game losing streak that includes a 135-110 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Meanwhile, Denver has now lost three of its last four games following a 126-119 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Which team will regain momentum with a win on Tuesday?

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: DEN: (-270) | NO: (+220)
• Spread: DEN: -6.5 (-112) | NO: +6.5 (-108)
• Total: 232 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Nuggets enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 232 points, which is above average compared to Tuesday's projected totals.

Nuggets vs Pelicans Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Nuggets	-8.5	-	-	229.5	-110	-110	-340	275

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Betting Trends

• The Nuggets put together a 36-44-2 record against the spread last season.
• The Pelicans went 3-6 as underdogs of 8.5 points or greater last year.
• Last season, 47 Nuggets games went over the point total.
• Last year, 33 of the Pelicans' 82 games went over the point total.

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Prediction & Pick

The Pelicans are spiraling right now and injuries are certainly a reason as to why. Zion Williamson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and Brandon Ingram didn't suit up on Sunday as part of his recovery from a left toe injury. He will play on Tuesday, but it's safe to say he isn't back at 100% yet.

The Nuggets are already hard to beat on their home court at full health, so the Pelicans are in for a tough one tonight. Denver has posted a 22-4 record and a +10.7 average scoring margin (No. 2 in NBA) at Ball Arena this season. It scores a reliable 119.7 points per home game as well (No. 5 in NBA).

Denver is 6-2 straight up in its last eight games against New Orleans, so back to Nuggets on Tuesday.

Final Score Prediction: Nuggets: 118 | Pelicans: 109

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Best Bet

The Nuggets may reach their scoring average, but it won't be easy for them to ball out against a New Orleans team that ranks fifth in defensive efficiency. Combine that capped ceiling with the fact that the Pelicans are tallying 105.0 points over their last three games and the under looks like a safe bet.

The total has hit the under in four of New Orleans' last five games as well as in eight of Denver's last 11 games. The under has also cashed in nine of the last 11 head-to-head matchups between the Pelicans and Nuggets. Trust the defenses to step up as each side looks to end its losing ways.

Bet: Under 232 Points (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.