NBA 2021/22 on Saturday, 29.01.2022
Tonight, as the basketball week winds down, we are treated to a game that went to a thrilling overtime last time out. We are talking about the match between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets.
The home side, despite their league position, are a thoroughly capable team. However, in my Pelicans Nuggets tip, I will give reasons why it should be easier for the visitors to win this time than it was the last time they met.
The Nuggets are a team that I have at the top of my list for today’s NBA tips. In fact, I’m trusting Nikola Jokic and company not to let me down for several reasons at once.
Having “momentum” on your side means a lot in basketball and no NBA team could celebrate a more impressive victory last night than Denver. They won against the strong Brooklyn Nets (124:118).
With this, Enver continues his winning streak. Although the current winning streak has lasted for “only” three games, the visitors always seem to be a safe bet against a team with a negative track record of less than 50% like the Pelicans.
If we look at the last eleven games of the Nuggets, there is already a quite presentable record of (8-3). However, if we filter this by the quality of the opponents, it becomes clear why I am so sure about my tip today!
Because each of the last six defeats, stretching back to the year 2021 that has just passed, occurred exclusively against a team with a positive record that is in the race for a play-off place.
The Pelicans, however, cannot be counted in this category of franchises with a currently weak record (18-29).
While New Orleans did manage to force the Nuggets into overtime in a head-to-head clash just a month ago before falling 114-120, this aspect was also taken into account in my prediction.
The Nuggets’ chances are much better this time because the Pelicans have a thoroughly competitive squad, but it is currently being held back by injuries.
In the last duel against Denver, the Pelicans were able to draw on a full complement, but in this comparison, two important regulars will be missing from the starting five: Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram.
But that’s not all: Useful bench players like Devonte Graham, Zion Williamson, Didi Louzada and Trey Murphi III, who is ill with Corona, will also be forced to miss the game.
Were the Pelicans able to use their key players tonight, I’d be more skeptical of a Nuggets win regardless of standings, especially since the game will be played at home in the Smoothie King Center.
This is where New Orleans can really beat anyone on a good day! Four home wins in a row, three of them against strong NBA teams like the Clippers, Timberwolves and Warriors, say it all for the basketball fan.
But here we have to point out the big difference to tonight: The duo of Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart were still on the floor in all of those aforementioned home appearances.
Against the Nuggets, however, the two superstars will once again be represented by the recently hapless Garret Temple and Jose Alvaro.
A success for the Pelicans, who are currently “fluttering” at best, is being offered at around 2.95.
Conclusion: The Pelicans should not be fooled by their position in the standings, because New Orleans is always capable of beating a top team – in their best line-up, mind you.
Just a month ago, the Nuggets also had a hard time winning their game against their upcoming opponents. However, Ingram and Hart were still playing for the home side that night.
But they, along with other good players like Graham and Williamson, will only be able to watch. Denver, meanwhile, just won against the Nets and hasn’t lost a game to a team with a negative record this month.
My Pelicans Nuggets tip in one word: Guest win!
