The Utah Jazz play host to the New Orleans Pelicans once again at the Delta Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Jazz vs. Pelicans prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs. Pelicans pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have been heating up recently, as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after beating the Jazz in a 129-118 road win on Thursday. Saddiq Bey led the team with 42 points and seven assists, Zion Williamson added 20 points on nine of 15 shooting, and Dejounte Murray chipped in with 17 points and nine assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 52 percent from the field and 13 of 34 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 78 points in the first half to lead by as many as 27 points before they pulled their starters early and gave their bench players an extended run.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in terrible form, as they’ve lost 16 of their last 20 games overall and they are now on a four-game losing streak after getting smashed by the Pelicans on Thursday. Ace Bailey led the team in scoring with 23 points on nine of 17 shooting; Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points off the bench, while Kyle Filipowski chipped in with 13 points in just 18 minutes of action. As a team, the Jazz shot 50 percent from the field and 12 of 37 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter, but they went cold and could never recover after getting dominated by 41-23 in the second quarter.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Pelicans’ last five games.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last eight Saturday road games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against the Pelicans following a home loss.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have won each of their last six games against the Jazz.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the last five games between the Pelicans and the Jazz has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Pelicans’ last seven games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Isaiah Collier is the only player in the league to have recorded 19+ assists in a game this season.
- John Konchar has recorded 3+ steals in four consecutive appearances—the longest active streak of any player in the league.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Zion Williamson ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (706) this season.
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (125.9).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (30.5).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—trailing by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.7).
Jazz vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are still missing Trey Murphy III; they have decided to rest Dejounte Murray, and they are keeping an eye on Yves Missi, who is questionable, while the Jazz are still missing Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jaren Jackson Jr., with Keyonte George listed as questionable. It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row in their own building, but the Jazz are just missing too much firepower and I can’t see anything but another comfortable win for the Pelicans.