Nuggets vs. Pelicans Recap: Denver Never Trails, Three Plays Cash

Denver beat New Orleans 104-91 and never trailed. The Nuggets opened with a 37-18 first quarter and led 57-45 at the half after the Pelicans took the second quarter 27-20. New Orleans won the third 28-22 and cut it to 81-76 with 9:25 left, but Denver scored 23 of the next 38 points, and a Christian Braun three made it 104-89 with 1:09 to go. Nikola Jokic had 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and Jamal Murray scored 23 with 5 threes. Three DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Nuggets ML (-210 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Denver had won 8 of its last 10 while New Orleans had won 1 of its last 10, and the Nuggets were a -210 favorite.
• What happened: Denver led wire to wire, built a lead as large as 22 and won by 13. The Nuggets went 18-of-19 at the line and had 30 assists on 37 made shots.
• Worth watching: At -210 a moneyline needs to win about two times in three to break even. Recent form was our case for paying it. Check the price against that bar each time.

ALT: Zion Williamson 15+ points (-330 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Williamson had cleared 15+ points in 9 of his last 10 games and 18 of his last 20. The best price, -299, implied 75 percent against about 85 percent from recent games.
• What happened: He scored 25 on 10-of-14 shooting in 32 minutes, 10.5 over the line. He took one three and made it, and went 4-of-6 at the line.
• Worth watching: He made 9 two-point shots on a night his team shot 7-of-30 from three. A low alt like this costs a lot, so shop for the best number.

ALT: Jeremiah Fears 18+ points + rebounds + assists (-126 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Fears had cleared 18+ PRA in 8 of his last 10 games and 12 of his last 20. At -126 the price implied 56 percent against about 67 percent from recent games.
• What happened: 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists made 18, 0.5 over the line. He played 24 minutes and shot 5-of-14.
• Worth watching: This one landed with no room to spare on a modest minute load. Combo lines like this lean on playing time, so his minutes are the first thing to check next time.

How the game played out

New Orleans had chances to make it closer. The Pelicans won the paint 48-42, had 19 fast-break points and recorded 14 steals, and Denver turned it over 18 times. But they shot 7-of-30 from three and 16-of-22 at the line, while Denver hit 12-of-31 from deep. Derik Queen added 11 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans.

Trends to watch

• Jokic had 10 of Denver's 30 assists and 13 of its 42 rebounds. His all-around lines move with how much the offense runs through him.
• Williamson took 14 shots and only one three. His scoring props fit nights when he is working inside the arc.
• Fears needed every point and rebound in 24 minutes. Watch his minutes before backing his combo lines again.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more on these markets, see moneyline and player prop, or get more at /nba.