Pelicans vs Nuggets Prediction 29 October 2026

The hosts are coming off three straight defeats. Aside from their recent loss to the Denver Nuggets in their last head-to-head, they also fell short against Utah (119-120) and Indiana (120-123). The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling defensively, with persistent errors surfacing regardless of the game's tempo. On top of that, some players simply aren’t putting in enough effort on the defensive end. This scenario could prove costly once again when facing Denver.

Offensively, the hosts have looked relatively solid, but their attack relies more on individual efforts than on cohesive team play or well-drilled sets. Without question, Murphy, Murray, or Williamson are all capable of putting up big numbers in the upcoming clash. However, the rest of the roster might end up holding the team back rather than pushing them toward victory. The Pelicans have also had notable issues from beyond the arc, converting just 29% of their three-point attempts against Denver.

Denver have had an inconsistent start to the season, picking up just one win from their first three games. They recently fell to Golden State, 114-134, and also lost to Oklahoma City, 84-96. As recent results show, the Nuggets continue to struggle against top-tier opponents. However, when facing teams likely to be fighting for a spot around 10th in the conference, Denver can assert themselves and play to their strengths - right now, they have the tools to do just that.

First and foremost, Nikola Jokic deserves mention. Regardless of his form, Jokic consistently creates quality looks - both for himself and his teammates. There’s also a clear area for improvement: three-point shooting. The team is hitting just over 30% from deep in recent outings. Still, with Jamal Murray and several other capable shooters - including Jokic himself - the Nuggets have every chance to improve their perimeter efficiency. Against the Pelicans, those opportunities should be there.