Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Preview, and Odds
On Thursday night, the Utah Jazz head to the Smoothie King Center for a road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz defeated the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. The Pelicans were clipped in overtime by the Memphis Grizzlies. The tip is at 8:10 PM ET. New Orleans opens as a home favorite.
Jazz Thump the Spurs
The Jazz used a 37-point second quarter to pull away from the San Antonio Spurs 130-118 on Tuesday night. Lauri Markkanen had 31 points and 12 rebounds and Jordan Clarkson added 24 points and eight assists. The Jazz (13-18) have won three in a row and six of eight after starting the season 2-7. Collin Sexton had 20 points and Walker Kessler scored 11 for Utah in a balanced win. Utah exited the first and entered the second quarter on a 23-9 run. Markkanen and Clarkson combined for 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the second quarter.
It was another successful return for Clarkson to his hometown. He entered the game averaging 16.7 points in 26 games against the Spurs. “Been known as a scorer his whole career,” Hardy said about Clarkson. “I think the last year and a half he’s made a really diligent effort to try be a better playmaker and he’s done a great job. Jordan has that ability, not just as a player, but as a person - he brings energy to the room whenever he’s in it.” Utah slugged through the middle of December when Markkanen and Clarkson were absent from the lineup, but they have turned things around.
Pelicans Falter at Home
New Orleans was outscored by 13 points in a tumultuous fourth quarter, ultimately losing 116-115 in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies. Zion Williamson had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Brandon Ingram scored 24 points and blocked four shots. Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and CJ McCollum added 16 points for New Orleans, which dropped its second straight - both at home. “For three-and-a-half quarters, our game-plan discipline was at a high level,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. "As the game started to get a little close, we get tired ... and we started to turn the ball over, not execute as well and we let them right back into the game. “It's not one guy, it's all of us,” Green added. "This crap hurts, losing games like this. But it's a part of it and we have to learn from these moments."
Brandon Ingram is not known for his defensive contributions, but he put up a new season-high for blocks and tied his season-high for steals in Tuesday’s game. He also got it done on the offensive end and led the Pelicans in scoring. Ingram has stepped up his play as of late, and although this was a setback, Ja Morant has the Grizzlies playing excellent basketball.
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Rating:
New Orleans was outscored by 13 points in a rough fourth quarter, ultimately losing 116-115 in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies. The game was a setback considering they had it in the bag, but Ja Morant has them playing at a different level, and the Pelicans looked gassed. Brandon Ingram is not known for his defensive contributions, but he put up a new season-high for blocks and tied his season-high for steals in Tuesday’s game. He also got it done on the offensive end and led the Pelicans in scoring. Look for him to have another strong game. Utah has dropped 10 of 15 facing Western Conference opponents, and although they are playing well, the Pelicans will bounce back after Tuesday’s fourth-quarter meltdown. Take New Orleans.
Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans
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Rating:
The Jazz and Pelicans are huddled in the middle of the pack concerning pace heading into this Western Conference tilt. New Orleans is a strong defensive team when they have all the horses in the lineup. Zion, CJ, and Brandon Ingram are available for this game, and I like them to put together a great defensive game after they served up 36 points in the fourth quarter at home against the Grizzlies. The total has gone under in five of New Orleans’ last seven games facing the Jazz. Take the under in what should be a big Pelicans bounce-back win at home.
Prediction: UNDER
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