The Denver Nuggets take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Friday night.

The Nuggets (26-21) check into Friday's contest on an upswing, having won three straight games and four of the last five overall. Their most recent success came Wednesday night, when they notched a 124-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Nikola Jokic led the way with 26 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and one steal. Austin Rivers poured in 25 points. Will Barton generated a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists, two steals and one block. DeMarcus Cousins supplied 13 points, six boards and one steal. Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris posted matching 10-point tallies while pulling down five and four rebounds, respectively.

The Nuggets come into Friday's contest without any short-term injuries to report.

The Pelicans (18-29) have recently continued to encounter trouble with respect to consistency, as they've dropped three of their past five games heading into Friday's game. Their most recent stumble unfolded Tuesday night, when they dropped a 117-107 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the way with 31 points, supplementing them with five assists, four rebounds and one block. Willy Hernangomez turned in a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and one block. Jaxson Hayes posted 15 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Herbert Jones furnished 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Jose Alvarado delivered 11 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

The Pelicans are likely to list Brandon Ingram (ankle), Josh Hart (ankle) and Devonte' Graham (ankle) as no better than questionable for Friday's game. Trey Murphy (COVID-19 protocols) and Zion Williamson (foot) will remain out.

Friday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Nuggets own a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 120-114 overtime victory Dec. 8.