The vibes couldn’t have differed more heading into this one. Denver’s cruising at 10-3, only slowed down by a weird stumble against a Bulls team running on double-OT fumes. Meanwhile, New Orleans? Still trying to remember what winning feels like at 2-12, now navigating the early chaos of James Borrego’s takeover after Willie Green’s exit. Two games in, the Pelicans are hunting for energy, identity, anything, and the Nuggets are probably not the team you want knocking at your door during an existential crisis.

For a Pelicans squad desperate for any sliver of daylight, this might finally qualify. Aaron Gordon has been ruled out, the news dropping via Underdog NBA: “Aaron Gordon (injury management) ruled out Wednesday.” The veteran is sitting to manage a hamstring issue, and with him s

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