New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets Game Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans (27-36) versus Denver Nuggets (37-26) game review and notes.

Guard CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans travel to the Rocky Mountains to face the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic's 6th place Denver Nuggets. Can forward Brandon Ingram assist McCollum and keep the Pelicans' winning streak alive until Zion Williamson officially returns? 

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets Preview

• When: March 6, 2022 @ 7 PM CT
• Where: Denver, CO Ball Arena
• How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

The New Orleans Pelicans (27-36, 10th in the Western Conference) will try to keep their post-All-Star break winning streak alive when they visit the Denver Nuggets (37-26, 6th) on March 6 at 7 p.m. CST in the Ball Arena. New Orleans has played well against Denver this season. Though they lost both games at home, including an overtime heartbreaker, New Orleans beat the Nuggets 113-105 in Denver on February 4.

Tonight's match is the final game of the season series, in which Denver leads 2-1. The Pelicans are 4-0 since the All-Star break, while the Nuggets have only lost one game since February 12. While the Pelicans are fighting for an NBA Playoff Play-in Spot, Denver is battling to secure the 6th seed and avoid the elimination games altogether.

The Pelicans opens as only 3.5 point underdogs, according to the SI SportsBook. It is perhaps closer than expected considering the team's records, but Denver will be missing Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., Austin Rivers, Zeke Nnaji, and Jokic are all questionable. 

According to the team's official release, Rivers and Jokic are dealing with a non-Covid illness and will be game-time decisions.

A bet on the +227 over is a considerable risk. The Pelicans have kept their past three opponents under 100 points, and the Nuggets may be missing the best player, though DeMarcus Cousins has played well when replacing Jokic in the starting lineup. Cousins posted 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists in a win over Houston, and looked to be getting healthier every day. 

 Whether dealing with Cousins or Jokic, Jonas Valancuinas will need some help. Willie Green might have to play Willy Hernangomez a few more minutes if Denver's frontcourt easily pushes Jaxson Hayes around.

The Pelicans should keep the tilt close against Denver while figuring out the defensive adjustments. New Orleans keeps upping the scoring averages with CJ McCollum and has one of the best offenses since joining the team. 

The Pelicans shoot 107.3 PPG (23rd) and Denver 110.5 PPG (13th). The Nuggets have the 9th best offense and 11th best defense, while the Pelicans rank 20th in offense and the 16th best defense.

New Orleans only holds a significant edge over Denver when rebounding, especially when Cousins and Jokic are on the bench. The Pelicans are 9th best compared to Denver at 20th. 

If New Orleans can crash the boards and play into their new more-up tempo identity, they should be able to run out of Denver with another upset win regardless of if Jokic suits up.

Expected Starting Lineups:

New Orleans Pelicans: 

1. PG C.J. McCollum, 
2. SF Brandon Ingram, 
3. SG Herb Jones, 
4. PF Jaxson Hayes, 
5. C Jonas Valanciunas

Denver Nuggets: 

1. PG Monte Morris, 
2. SG Will Barton, 
3. SF Aaron Gordon, 
4. PF Jeff Green, 
5. C Nikola Jokic

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