New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets Betting Pick

The fifth and final NBA game scheduled on Christmas Day will also feature the biggest spread of the day. The New Orleans Pelicans will be in Denver to take on the Nuggets, and they are big underdogs in this game. Denver looks like one of the top teams in the NBA this season, and it is always tough to beat at home.
Denver comes into this game having won seven straight contests, and it is starting to figure things out. The Nuggets are now 21-8 on the season and sit in first place in the Northwest Division.
New Orleans actually won a game on Monday night, but that was just its eighth win of the season. The Pelicans sit in last place in the Southwest Division. Denver is a 10-point favorite over New Orleans on Christmas Day.
Pelicans Can Score Points
The Pelicans have several flaws this season, but scoring points is not one of them. New Orleans comes into this game averaging close to 112 points per game, which is above the league average.
The problem has been on the defensive end of the floor, where the Pelicans are giving up close to 118 points per game. New Orleans will need to clean that up to stay in this game.
Small forward Brandon Ingram is in his first year with the Pelicans, but it looks like life in New Orleans suits him just fine. Ingram leads the Pelicans with 25 points and seven rebounds per game and could be an All-Star this season. Jrue Holiday is a proven veteran, and he could put on a show on Christmas Day.
Denver Solid On Both Ends
The Nuggets have been solid on both ends of the floor this season, but they are definitely known more as a defensive team. Denver is allowing just 102 points per game, and it is even better than that on its home floor.
The Nuggets are scoring just 107.8 points per game, but their slow pace of play is a big reason for that. Denver can score points when it needs them.
All-Star center Nikola Jokic is having another terrific season, but his scoring numbers have dropped just a bit. Jokic is averaging just 17.5 points per game, but he is averaging close to seven assists per game. Point guard Jamal Murray leads the team with close to 18 points per game, and he is an improved shot-maker this season.
Nuggets Get Blowout Christmas Day Victory
Opponents have found it extremely difficult to win games in Denver against the Nuggets, and the Pelicans are going to find that out on Christmas Day. Denver has been playing terrific basketball of late, and it’s hard to see this game staying close for long.
The Pelicans have been scoring points like crazy this season, but the Nuggets know how to defend. Look for the Nuggets to be the team doing more of the scoring in this game. Bet the Denver Nuggets -10.0 over the New Orleans Pelicans on Christmas Day.