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Pelicans vs Jazz Prediction 1/17/25 NBA Picks Today
Utah Jazz (10-29) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (10-32)
January 17, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -9.5; Over/Under: 228.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah Jazz invade the Smoothie King Center to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Jazz Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Jazz Pick.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have been in a real slump as they’ve lost nine of their last 12 games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after coming up just short to the Hornets in a 117-112 home defeat on Wednesday. Keyonte George led the team with 26 points and six assists, Brice Sensabaugh added 19 points off the bench while Isaiah Collier and Drew Eubanks scored 11 points each. As a team, the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 16 of 43 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 33 points in the first quarter to lead for most of the contest. The fourth quarter was when the Hornets exploded for 37 points to snatch the game away in the end.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are starting to turn things around as they’ve won three of their past four games. The Pelicans will be aiming for a third straight victory after sneaking past the Mavericks in a 119-116 home win on Wednesday. Dejounte Murray led the team with 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, Trey Murphy added 24 points with 10 rebounds and four assists while Javonte Green chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 13 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and looked to be in trouble when they trailed by seven points midway through the fourth quarter. The Pels closed the final 5:58 on a 21-11 run to escape with the comeback victory at home.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 14 road games following a home loss.
- The home team has won each of the last six games between the Jazz and Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last four games.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five night games against Southwest Division opponents.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Jazz have won eight of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Jazz’s last seven games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Jazz’s last seven night games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the Pelicans’ last five home games against the Jazz following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Jazz Prediction
The Jazz are still missing players including Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and John Collins, while the Pelicans are still playing without Herbert Jones and Brandon Ingram. The Jazz haven’t been able to get anything going since being hit hard by injuries and they are coming into this one fresh off a loss to the slumping Hornets. It’s no surprise that the Pelicans are heavy favorites with their recent uptick in form. This could be a scrappy close contest in the first half, but in the end, I have the Pelicans getting the win and covering at home.