Both teams enter this matchup with contrasting recent performances. The Pelicans have struggled significantly, suffering a notable -11 point differential in their last game against the Knicks and a cumulative -20 in their last two games at home. In contrast, the Nuggets showcased their offensive capabilities, scoring 130 points in their last away game against the Kings, demonstrating their ability to generate points consistently. The five most influential metrics reveal compelling insights: 1. **Total number of games played by home team**: The Pelicans have played 29 games at home this season, indicating experience in their environment, but it hasn't translated into success recently. 2. **Average assists per game by home team over last 5 games**: The Pelicans averaged 22.8 assists, which is decent, but their offensive flow appears to be diminishing considering their recent scoring struggles. 3. **Free throw percentage of home team point-guard over last 5 games**: With a free throw percentage of 89.57%, the Pelicans' ball-handlers can capitalize on opportunities, yet their recent scoring suggests that they are not getting to the line enough. 4. **Weighted average point differential from home team's last 4 games**: The Pelicans have a troubling -0.96 differential, reflecting their inability to compete effectively on their court recently. 5. **Average point differential over away team's last 2 games**: The Nuggets’ +1 average differential indicates that they are maintaining competitiveness away from home, bolstered by a strong offensive output.