Denver at New Orleans

The good news for New Orleans is its indispensable player, Anthony Davis, appears to be able to play tonight after suffering an ankle injury in preseason.  Davis averaged 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds last season but has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career. Denver is coming off a 33-49 season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is probable for this game with a sprained ankle and shooting guard Gary Harris is questionable with a groin injury. Danilo Gallinari (19.5 points per game) and Kenneth Faried (12.5 ppg) are back at the forward positions and Nikola Jokic is at center. The Pelicans won and covered the last two meetings last season and the Nuggets finished the season losing seven of their last nine games. New Orleans is a small favorite in this matchup, so play the Pelicans.