New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Preview for 2024 Summer League | July 20
The New Orleans Pelicans hope to win their first game in the 2K25 Summer League when they face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. New Orleans dropped its fourth straight game after succumbing 88-77 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jordan Hawkins, Jordan Ford and Yves Missi will try to lead the team past the Mile High City team.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets broke out of their doldrums with a dominating 86-71 over the Indiana Pacers two nights ago. Leading scorer Julian Strawther sat out, but Denver got superb performances from Trey Alexander, Hunter Tyson and Jahmir Young. The Nuggets will have a good chance to win another game if Strawther returns and the others sustain their form.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets: Game details and odds
The Thomas & Mack Center will host the duel between the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets. Altitude will cover the game locally, while basketball fans can stream the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.
Moneyline: Pelicans (-109) vs. Nuggets (-114)
Spread: Pelicans (-1.5) vs. Nuggets (+1.5)
Total (O/U): Pelicans (o173.5 -110) vs. Nuggets (u173.5 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets: NBA 2K25 Summer League Rosters
New Orleans Pelicans Summer League Roster
Jordan Hawkins, the Pelicans pick at No. 14 last year, hasn’t had the Summer League the team expected from him. In the loss to the Grizzlies, he put up 13 points on 4 for 13 shooting, including 2 for 7 from deep. Hawkins has to pick up his game to give the Pelicans a chance to win Saturday’s game.
Here is the Pelicans’ Summer League lineup:
Denver Nuggets Summer League Roster
Julian Strawther might not play again in the Summer League after averaging 28.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two games. He will likely carve a spot in coach Mike Malone’s rotation when the regular season starts.
Without him, Hunter Tyson, Trey Alexander, P.J. Holmes and Jahmir Young have to step up. Denver needs depth so one of them could be considered for a place in the lineup.
Here is the Nuggets’ Summer League lineup:
New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets: Prediction
The Pelicans’ lack of chemistry has been their biggest issue. They struggle to put up stretches of fluid basketball on both ends of the court. The Pelicans also look discombobulated if Jordan Hawkins can’t get his shots to go.
Julian Strawther will make the Nuggets big favorites. But if he isn’t available, the team should have enough to pull off a win against its reeling opponents.