- Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
- Broadcast: Altitude
- Betting Odds: New Orleans (+11.5)
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The New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) will visit Ball Arena on Saturday to face the Denver Nuggets (0-1). The Pelicans start this contest as 11.5-point underdogs, and the total points set for the game is 236.5.
New Orleans recently suffered a setback against the Pacers, losing 123-120 in a hard-fought game. The Pelicans posted a field goal percentage of 42.7%, making 38 of 89 attempts, including 10 of 30 from three-point range. They excelled at the free-throw line, converting 34 of 37 shots for a remarkable 91.9%. On the boards, they totaled 49 rebounds, including 14 offensive boards, and dished out 23 assists while forcing 13 turnovers and recording 11 steals. However, defensively, New Orleans allowed Indiana to shoot 52.2% from the field (47 of 90). The Pacers achieved 29 assists, 9 steals, and 43 rebounds (9 offensive, 34 defensive) while completing 69.0% of their free throws (20 of 29) and hitting 9 of 30 from beyond the arc. The Pelicans ended the night with 24 personal fouls compared to Indiana’s 26.
Dejounte Murray was a standout player in the game, finishing with 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting, a 50.0% field goal percentage, alongside 7 assists and 3 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
The Pelicans are looking to improve their record, currently sitting at 0-1 this season. They average 15.0 turnovers and commit 24.0 personal fouls per game. They are also grabbing an average of 49.0 rebounds and providing 23 assists per contest, ranking 20th in the league for assists. Their three-point shooting sits at 33.3% (10 of 30), while they boast a high free-throw percentage of 91.9%. New Orleans scores an average of 120.0 points per game, ranking 13th in the NBA, with an overall shooting percentage of 42.7%.
Defensively, the Pelicans force 13.0 turnovers per game and commit 26.0 fouls. They currently rank 24th in the league for assists allowed, giving up 29 assists so far. Opponents shoot 52.2% against them (47 of 90), and New Orleans allows 43.0 rebounds per game. Their rivals are hitting 30.0% of three-point attempts, and New Orleans ranks 21st in defensive points per game allowed (123.0).
In their last outing, the Nuggets fell to the Thunder, 96-84. They managed to secure 34 defensive and 19 offensive rebounds, totaling 53. However, the Nuggets committed 22 turnovers while making 7 steals. The Thunder committed 22 fouls, allowing Denver 22 free-throw attempts, of which they converted 14 for a shooting percentage of 63.6%. Denver struggled from long range, making only 8 of 30 attempts (26.7%) and ended the game shooting 31 of 82 from the field, resulting in a 37.8% shooting percentage overall. Defensively, they allowed the Thunder to connect on 36 of 95 shots for an efficiency rate of 37.9% and struggled with perimeter defense, letting Oklahoma City shoot 25.6% (11 of 43) from beyond the arc. Denver finished strong at the free-throw line, converting 92.9% of their attempts (13 of 14). They allowed 46 total rebounds to Oklahoma City, including 16 on the offensive end.
Aaron Gordon had a crucial performance for the Nuggets, going 6 of 9 from the field (66.7%) and contributing 20 points along with 6 rebounds in 29 minutes of play.
The Nuggets’ record stands at 0-1 for the season. They average 23.0 personal fouls per game and maintain a free-throw shooting percentage of 63.6%. Their assist average is 17.0 per game, placing them 28th in the NBA, while their turnover average is 22.0 per game. So far this season, Denver has scored 84 points across their matchups and averages 53.0 rebounds.
On defense, the Nuggets rank 4th in the league for points allowed per game at 96.0. They force 12.0 turnovers on average and have held opponents to 37.9% shooting from the field (3rd in the league). The team allows 25.6% shooting from three and gives up 92.9% at the free-throw line, alongside allowing 22.0 assists and 46.0 rebounds per game, ranking 7th and 19th, respectively.
Who will secure the win against the spread tonight in the NBA showdown?
Prediction: Back New Orleans (+11.5)
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