The New Orleans Pelicans (18-9) are one of the hottest teams in the league, as they’ve won eight of their last 10 NBA matchups.
The Utah Jazz (16-14) are staying afloat, as they’re coming off a win over the Pelicans their last time out. The Pelicans vs Jazz prediction will almost certainly favor the Pelicans on NBA picks today.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz
- Date and Time: December 15, 2022, 9:00 pm
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Venue: Vivint Arena
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass
Last Game Record
The Jazz defeated the Pelicans in their last game on the NBA schedule 121-100, which has helped keep the Utah Jazz standings in the mix for a playoff spot.
Prior to the loss to the Jazz, the Pelicans were on a seven-game winning streak that helped them get to the first seed in the West.
This should all be considered when making your Pelicans vs Jazz prediction.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz Analysis
The Jazz got a ton of contributions from NBA player stats all across the board in their win over the Pelicans, as Malik Beasley paced them with 21 points off the bench.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker came off the bench with 19 points. Lauri Markkanen provided 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jarred Vanderbilt added 18 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Jazz at the NBA Stats
The Jazz are so deep, which is why their NBA team stats look so great, and they are one of the most surprising teams in the league thus far.
“To have six guys in double figures and 31 assists shows that we played together on the offensive end,” Utah coach Will Hardy said.
“But what stood out to me was how connected we were on the defensive end. That’s our best defensive game for the season as a team.”
Jazz Aren’t Afraid
The Jazz aren’t afraid to move the ball, feed the hot hand, and find offense without having to resort to iso or letting egos get in the way.
Everybody knows their strengths and weaknesses when they step out onto the floor, and they play off one another, which is a huge reason why they’re playing winning basketball. They are the embodiment of hard work that beats talent.
“You don’t want to beat yourself when a team’s already so good. You want to make it as small a game as possible. You do that by rebounding, deflecting balls, making an extra pass, and getting back on defense — just playing with extra effort,” Alexander-Walker said.
Pelicans’ Injury Report
The New Orleans Pelicans injury report doesn’t contain Zion Williamson on a daily basis anymore, which is a great thing for the NBA. However, Brandon Ingram, unfortunately, finds himself there.
The Pelicans have established themselves as one of the best teams in the league, with Williamson looking as dominant as he can be inside the paint and guys like CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas providing a ton of scoring.
Williamson and Zion
The chemistry is also off the charts for the Pelicans, as they were all quick to have Williamson’s back after Zion decided to end a recent matchup against the Phoenix Suns with a 360 windmill slam, which didn’t sit well with the Suns since they had essentially called it a game.
But the Pelicans are here to make noise, as Zion has shrugged off all the criticism he has had to hear over the last year and change.
Coach Willie Green knows that now that his team is good, the Pelicans are going to be the hunted team, which was a huge reason why the Jazz were able to pull off the recent win against them.
This should all be taken into account when making your Pelicans vs Jazz prediction.
Odds Breakdown
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are favored with a -1 spread on NBA odds today. The Pelicans’ moneyline is -115. The Pelicans are 15-12 against the spread.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz’s moneyline is -150. The Jazz are 17-13 against the spread.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz Betting Pick and Prediction
NBA Pick: Pelicans -1 (-110)
NBA Pick: Pelicans (-115)
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