Pelicans Limping Into Denver on Dead Legs — Fade the Points

New Orleans rolls into Ball Arena on fumes after yesterday's game, and that's where this total gets interesting. Back-to-backs are offensive graveyards — we're talking 3-5 points shaved off scoring totals historically when legs turn to concrete and jumpers clang short. The Pelicans shot a putrid 33.3% from deep in their opener, and tired shooters don't suddenly find rhythm at altitude. They won't.

Denver's got problems of their own. Their opening night was a brick festival: 37.8% from the field, 26.7% from three, an offensive rating that belongs in the G League. Cameron Johnson's absence robs them of spacing, and one practice doesn't fix systemic shooting woes. Yes, Jokic will Jokic, but he can't carry a sputtering offense against a Pelicans squad that'll grind this into a half-court slog.

New Orleans normally pushes pace at 105.3, but back-to-back fatigue forces teams into walk-it-up basketball. Combine that with two offenses shooting like they're wearing oven mitts, and you've got a recipe for an ugly, low-scoring affair. DarkHorse likes the under 237.5 with solid conviction, and the matchup context screams it. Expect a grinder, not a track meet.