[8:00 PM] Nuggets @ Pelicans

Who will WIN this matchup?

Denver Nuggets (0-0)

@ New Orleans Pelicans (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Denver Nuggets: (+100)

New Orleans Pelicans: (-120)

 

• ESPN simulations have Denver as XX% favorites to win the game.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on New Orleans to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is Pelicans by 1 point.

• Anthony Davis is recognized as a superstar talent but the New Orleans Pelicans power forward has one major flaw – he just can’t stay healthy. The 23-year-old Davis hasn’t played more than 68 games in any of his first four NBA seasons and looks for better fortunes this season, beginning with Wednesday’s season opener against the visiting Denver Nuggets.

• Shooting guard Gary Harris (12.3 average) was one of the most improved players in the NBA in his second season and could take another step upward but he is questionable for the opener due to a groin injury. Denver seemed to plateau with power forward Kenneth Faried (12.5 points, 8.7 rebounds) as a starter and coach Michael Malone decided to bring him off the bench so youngsters Nikola Jokic (10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds) and Jusuf Nurkic (8.2 points, 5.5 rebounds) can start alongside each other.

• New Orleans was decimated by injury issues last season and is currently without guard Tyreke Evans (three knee surgeries in a nine-month span) and forward Quincy Pondexter (knee). Point guard Jrue Holiday is also out indefinitely after his wife – former U.S. women’s national team soccer player Lauren Holiday – underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor.

• The Pelicans won the last two meetings after the Nuggets won five of the previous six encounters.

• New Orleans SG E’Twaun Moore, signed as a free agent in the offseason, opens the season as the starter ahead of No. 6 overall pick Buddy Hield.

• Denver backup SF Wilson Chandler (hip) is healthy after missing all of last season.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: New Orleans Pelicans

Confidence: 5/10

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