New Orleans Pelicans (23-15, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (26-13, third in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans visits Denver looking to extend its seven-game road winning streak.
The Nuggets are 16-10 in Western Conference games. Denver has a 3-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Pelicans are 16-13 in Western Conference play. New Orleans is 0-6 in one-possession games.
The Nuggets average 11.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer makes per game than the Pelicans allow (13.2). The Pelicans score 5.4 more points per game (116.4) than the Nuggets give up (111.0).
The teams play for the third time this season. The Pelicans won the last matchup 115-110 on Nov. 18, with Zion Williamson scoring 26 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nikola Jokic is scoring 25.5 points per game with 11.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 23.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 48.6% over the past 10 games for Denver.
Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.4 points and 5.4 assists for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum is averaging 18.7 points and 4.8 assists over the past 10 games for New Orleans.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 118.2 points, 41.1 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 7.6 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.0 points per game.
Pelicans: 7-3, averaging 118.1 points, 44.9 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 8.6 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.7 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar: out (knee), Julian Strawther: out (knee).
Pelicans: Matt Ryan: out (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
