Opinion
3 min read

Pelicans Soar to Mile-High Showdown with Nuggets at Ball Arena

As the New Orleans Pelicans prepare to face off against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Pelicans, coming off a resounding victory over the Golden State Warriors with an impressive 141 points, are looking to continue their high-flying performance in Denver.


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers during the In-Season Tournament on November 24, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)

The statistics from their recent games paint a picture of a team that's on fire. With a 23-15 record and back-to-back wins where they scored over 130 points, the Pelicans have been dominating on offense. Their latest game against the Warriors showcased their offensive prowess as they led for nearly the entire game and boasted a staggering 57 percent field goal percentage.


The bench has been particularly effective, contributing 62 points in their last outing. This depth will be crucial as they take on a Nuggets team known for its resilience at home. The Pelicans' ability to maintain possession and capitalize on turnovers – evident by scoring 24 points off turnovers against the Warriors – will be key factors in this matchup.


Defensively, New Orleans has shown tenacity as well. They held Golden State to just 105 points and demonstrated an ability to control the paint with seven blocks and limiting their opponents' second-chance opportunities.


However, it's not all smooth sailing for NOP; they must address some concerns before facing Denver. In their previous encounter with LA Clippers just days before besting Golden State, NOP fell short by scoring only 95 points while allowing 111. Their field goal percentage dipped significantly to just 36 percent – something that needs immediate attention if they're going to outshoot Denver's formidable lineup.


Despite this setback, NOP's overall trend is positive and suggests that when they click offensively while maintaining defensive intensity, few teams can keep pace with them.


Looking ahead at what promises to be an electrifying game in Colorado's capital city: if NOP can replicate their recent offensive efficiency and bench production while tightening up any defensive lapses seen against LAC Clippers, there’s every reason for Pelican fans to expect another win added to their tally.


Mark your calendars for January 12th at 9:00 PM (Mountain Time) when New Orleans takes on Denver at Ball Arena. Fans won't want to miss this clash of titans broadcasted nationally on ESPN channel number 206 or locally via ALT channel number 681 or WVUE channel number away from home.

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