Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/28/2022

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

Where to watch: BSNO, ALT2

DraftKings: Nuggets -5.5

WynnBet: Nuggets -5.5 

Caesars: Check back later

Nuggets: 26-21 (6th, West)

Pelicans: 18-29 (11th, West)

I'm liking the Denver Nuggets to keep this bit of winning going on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday in NOLA.

Hard to not pick a team that has the reigning MVP playing like the destroyer of worlds at this point in time. Nikola Jokic can't be stopped and good luck trying to figure out how.

In his last five games, Jokic is averaging 32.6 points, 13 rebounds and 9.4 assists as the Nuggets have won four of five. The reigning MVP has four 20-rebound games since Dec. 23 and is making a strong case to be named the best player in the league for a second straight season.

Jokic had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the Nuggets' 6-point victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. The Nets did not have James Harden, Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant.

"We haven't played maybe perfect basketball, but we're winning games," Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. "Ultimately that's all that matters. A lot of the NBA is like winning the games you're supposed to and that's no disrespect to a team like Detroit or these Brooklyn Nets — obviously all the guys they have out."

What I like about the Nuggets is how Jokic has been the No. 1 option overall, no matter if it's bringing the ball up the floor, being ready for all the rebounds, or just being the top scoring option. It's truly a sight to behold. And when you add in the fact that DeMarcus Cousins is backing him up now, one can only wonder what the Nuggets can do at the center position.

Jokic will have a challenge ahead of him Friday against Jonas Valanciunas, someone who can not only be a bruiser inside, but have some capability to guard Jokic at the top of the key. If it weren't for the fact that Brandon Ingram was out, as well as the potential of not having Josh Hart, I'd like the Pelicans to be more of a mindful matchup than Denver.

The spread has not been kind to the Nuggets over the past six games, going 0-5-1 ATS. Even when the Nuggets' opponents have scored 100 points or more in the previous game, Denver has not covered in its previous four. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six against winning teams.

But the Nuggets have won three straight against the Pelicans, and the 5.5 is a nice number to work with in getting Denver off the slide against the books. I'll take the Nuggets, and Jokic, to get another win against a shorthanded New Orleans team. Nuggets by 10

The Nuggets are 10-15 ATS on the road this season.

The Nuggets are 4-8 ATS as a road favorite this season.

The Pelicans are 14-8 ATS at home this season.

PG: Monte Morris

SG: Will Barton
SF: Aaron Gordon
PF: Jeff Green
C: Nikola Jokic

PG: Jose Alvarado

SG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SF: Garrett Temple
PF: Herbert Jones
C: Jonas Valanciunas

Nuggets: Jamal Murray (knee, out), Michael Porter Jr. (back, out)

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (ankle, out), Devonte' Graham (ankle, day-to-day), Josh Hart (ankle, day-to-day), Zion Williamson (foot, out)