NBAPreview

Nuggets' 27th-ranked defense meets Pelicans' sixth-best offense

New Orleans is 0-3 and Denver 1-2, and the teams met four days ago: Denver won 141-135 at home.

Pelicans: 115.5 offensive rating, sixth in the NBA
Nuggets: 118.8 defensive rating, 27th in the NBA
Pelicans have lost their first three games

Published October 28, 2026 at 8:03 AM1 min read How this story was written

Final

Denver Nuggets

New Orleans Pelicans

Box score and plays

The Denver Nuggets (1-2) and New Orleans Pelicans (0-3) meet Wednesday, October 28, at 8:00 PM ET in New Orleans, with Denver's 27th-ranked defense facing the Pelicans' sixth-ranked offense. New Orleans is looking for its first win.

Denver allows 118.8 points per 100 possessions, and opponents have a 55.2 effective field goal percentage against it. New Orleans scores 115.5 per 100 and shoots 58.7 true, so the Pelicans should find shots.

New Orleans has its own problem on defense. Its 118.6 rating ranks 26th, and only one team sends opponents to the line more often. Denver draws fouls at the ninth-best rate, which could matter in a close game.

Nikola Jokic averages 22.3 points and 8.7 assists for Denver but shoots 41.7% from the field. Christian Braun averages two steals. Zion Williamson leads New Orleans with 20.7 points on 55% shooting and 2.7 steals, and Dejounte Murray hands out 6.3 assists.

Denver is thin on the wing. Cameron Johnson, who plays 29.3 minutes, is doubtful, and Spencer Jones (22.5), Alpha Diallo and Julian Strawther are out.

Center Yves Missi, who leads the Pelicans with two blocks a game, is out. Julian Reese and Jordan Poole are probable.

The teams played Saturday, October 24, and Denver won 141-135. The Nuggets then lost 134-114 to Golden State at home. The Pelicans have dropped three straight, two of them by three points or fewer.

Sportsbook prices give Denver a 63% chance to win. Our projection, built from the players available, puts it at 59%.