Denver Nuggets defeat New Orleans Pelicans 141-135: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · NBA · New Orleans Pelicans 135, Denver Nuggets 141
The Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Ball Arena. The New Orleans Pelicans covered the spread as 11.5-point underdogs. The game went over the closing total of 239.5, with 276 points combined. AiQ went 2-1 on its moneyline, spread and total picks in this game.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets final score and game recap
The New Orleans Pelicans led 38-24 after the first quarter and 73-57 at halftime. The Denver Nuggets trailed by 19 points after the third quarter. They outscored the New Orleans Pelicans 69-53 in the second half, 37-18 in the fourth quarter alone. It was tied 126-126 at the end of regulation. The Denver Nuggets won it in overtime.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans): 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans): 22 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists.
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): 35 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists.
- Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets): 42 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists.
Who covered the spread in New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets?
The New Orleans Pelicans covered the spread as 11.5-point underdogs, losing by 6 points.
The spread opened and closed at Denver Nuggets -11.5. AiQ's pick was the Denver Nuggets -11.5: a loss.
Did New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets go over or under the total?
The game went over: 276 points combined against a closing total of 239.5, over by 36.5.
The total opened at 237.5 and closed at 239.5. AiQ's pick was the over 239.5: a win.
How did AiQ's New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets predictions do?
AiQ went 2-1 on its moneyline, spread and total picks in this game.
- Moneyline: the Denver Nuggets to win at -485, a win (+$20.62 on a $100 bet).
- Spread: the Denver Nuggets -11.5, a loss.
- Total: the over 239.5, a win.
AiQ was right on the moneyline and the total and wrong on the spread.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets game prop results: team totals, first quarter and first half
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- Denver Nuggets team total 125.5: the over, paying -112, with 141 scored.
- First-quarter moneyline: New Orleans Pelicans won the first quarter, paying +170.
- First-half moneyline: New Orleans Pelicans won the first half, paying +270.
- New Orleans Pelicans team total 113.5: the over, paying -118, with 135 scored.
- First-half total 122.5: the over, paying -112, with 130 points scored.
- First-half spread: New Orleans Pelicans +6.5 covered, paying -105.
- First-quarter total 61.5: the over, paying -112, with 62 points scored.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the New Orleans Pelicans at +370 and the Denver Nuggets at -500. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Denver Nuggets a 80% favorite. The Denver Nuggets won as the favorite at -500: $20 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Denver Nuggets, the best price before the game was -450 at Fanatics: priced below fair (−2.7% value).
The total moved up from 237.5 to 239.5, and the game went over.
New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets betting trends: 2026-27 season
This result left the New Orleans Pelicans 0-3 in the 2026-27 regular season (0-1 at home, 0-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 3 games with a closing line on file, with 1 push. Their games went over the closing total 2 times and under 1 time. That made it three straight losses for the New Orleans Pelicans.
This result left the Denver Nuggets 1-1 in the 2026-27 regular season (1-0 at home, 0-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 0 of 2 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 1 time and under 1 time.
What's next for New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets?
Next for the New Orleans Pelicans: the Denver Nuggets at home on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Next for the Denver Nuggets: the Golden State Warriors at home on Monday, October 26, 2026.