Recent Play Details

Well, looks like I got a bad number on this one and Jokic will play. But we're still rolling with New Orleans. 

4% New Orleans (8:05 ET): Playing without Nikola Jokic, Denver saw its nine-game win streak come to an end on Sunday as OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a shot in the closing seconds to give the Thunder a 101-99 win. Jokic (hamstring) remains on the injury report, which is certainly significant here as the Nuggets went into the last game having been outscored by 10.7 points per 100 possessions without their two-time MVP on the floor. That’s a worse net rating than San Antonio has for the season! 

New Orleans also has injury concerns with both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram missing time recently. The result has been a four-game losing streak, though the Pelicans were more competitive in Sunday’s 100-96 loss in Miami where they at least covered the 7.5-point spread. CJ McCollum went just 5 of 16 from the field, including 2 of 8 from three, numbers you expect would improve here at home where he averages 22.0 PPG and shoots 44.2% from behind the arc. The Pelicans’ home record this year is 17-6 SU. 

I’ll provide further clarity on both teams’ injury situations as the day progresses, but I like the Pelicans to cover regardless. Denver has major defensive issues on the road where they allow opponents to shoot over 50% and thus they are being outscored by 3.5 PPG - with or without Jokic. This will be just the second home game for New Orleans since January 6th and thus I’m expecting an inspired effort against a Denver team they already beat here (by 15) back in December. 4% New Orleans