New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 10/29/25, 5:55 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The New Orleans Pelicans will be desperate to notch their first win of the season when they visit the defending champion Denver Nuggets tonight at Ball Arena. New Orleans' 0–3 start has been defined by defensive lapses and the absence of key players, most notably Zion Williamson. Even with solid offensive output—averaging 119.0 points per game and shooting 44.6% from the floor—the Pelicans have struggled to contain opposing offenses, giving up an alarming 126.7 points per contest. That gap has effectively erased any advantages they've had in scoring depth or transition play. Without Williamson dominating inside, New Orleans has also lacked physical presence on the glass, collecting just 46.0 rebounds per game.

On the other side, the Nuggets are trending upward after shaking off a season-opening loss to Golden State with back-to-back road wins. Denver's momentum is largely fueled by Jamal Murray, who exploded for 43 points in a thrilling win over Minnesota. Alongside him, Nikola Jokic has once again been the steady force orchestrating Denver's offense, averaging a near triple-double while anchoring their rebounding efforts.

The Nuggets' offensive efficiency has been elite early in the season—they're shooting over 52% from the field and averaging more than 10 offensive rebounds per game at home. That combination of shot-making and hustle makes them a tough matchup for a Pelicans team struggling to defend in transition and protect the rim.