The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Utah Jazz on Thursday night in Salt Lake City, with the game set to tip-off at 9 p.m. ET at Delta Center. Currently, the Pelicans hold a record of 17-42, while the Jazz sit at 18-40. This matchup is particularly intriguing as it follows a season series where the Pelicans triumphed 3-0 over the Jazz.
New Orleans comes into this game riding momentum from their recent victory against the Golden State Warriors, where they won 113-109 as 1.5-point underdogs. Star forward Zion Williamson shone with 26 points, while newcomers G Dejounte Murray and F Saddiq Bey contributed 13 and 18 points, respectively. Murray’s return is noteworthy, as it marks his first appearance in nearly 13 months following an Achilles injury.
In contrast, Utah is currently struggling, having lost three consecutive games, including a 125-105 defeat against the Houston Rockets. The Jazz failed to cover a substantial spread as 13.5-point underdogs, despite strong performances from forwards Lauri Markkanen and Brice Sensabaugh. However, the team is grappling with injuries, most severely impacted by G Vince Williams Jr.’s season-ending torn ACL.
BetMGM Sportsbook has made the Pelicans a favorite with a moneyline of -190 and a spread of -4.5, while the Jazz stands at +154 on the moneyline and +4.5 against the spread. The over/under for the game is set at 240.5 points.
Injury concerns loom over both teams. For the Pelicans, C Yves Missi and F Trey Murphy III are sidelined. The Jazz face similar challenges, with G Keyonte George listed as questionable, and significant injuries to players like C Walker Kessler and G Vince Williams Jr., both sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Expert predictions suggest a strong likelihood of a Pelicans victory, estimated at 130 to 116. Despite a lack of significant value in the moneyline odds, betting against the spread in favor of New Orleans appears to be the more advantageous route, given their current form and history against Utah. Additionally, the projections indicate another high-scoring affair with a potential total exceeding the set over/under.
As the teams prepare for this clash, the Pelicans seem to have the upper hand, particularly as they gain health and momentum, while the Jazz struggle with their rebuilding efforts and defensive inconsistencies. This game promises to be a critical one for both teams as they look to navigate their respective paths moving forward in the season.