The New Orleans Pelicans (18-8, 6-5 Away) and their exceptional defense head to face the Utah Jazz (15-14, 9-5 Home) and their sensational offense on Tuesday. New Orleans beat the Phoenix Suns 129-124 in overtime at Smoothie King Center on Sunday, their seventh consecutive win.
With 35 points and eight rebounds, Zion Williamson had a standout performance. The Pelicans are the first seed in the Western Conference, 0.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. Utah dropped their last game on Saturday at Ball Arena, falling to the Denver Nuggets 115-110.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team in scoring in the loss with 27 points. With 18 points and nine rebounds, Kelly Olynyk also impressed. The Jazz are ninth in the Western Conference. The teams are meeting for the final time this season.
Utah will be pursuing a season sweep against New Orleans after coming out on top in the only prior meeting 122-121 in overtime at Smoothie King Center on October 23.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 31 points and 12 rebounds. CJ McCollum had 28 points and 12 assists in the loss.Williamson is averaging 25.0 points per game, best in the NBA, to lead the Pels in scoring this season. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas is grabbing 9.2 rebounds per game, most in the league, and McCollum is dishing 5.9 assists (1st).
Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson have powered the Jazz’s offense, averaging 22.2 and 19.8 points per game, respectively. Markkanen leads the league in scoring, while Clarkson is first. Markkanen also has pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game, most in the NBA, while Clarkson has tallied 4.9 assists per game, most in the league.
The Pelicans are third in defensive efficiency in the NBA, while the Jazz rank fifth in offensive efficiency.The Pelicans have come up short more often than not in recent games at Vivint Arena, losing seven of the last 10.New Orleans is 9-1 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +12.0 (119.8-107.8). Utah has a 3-7 record over the last 10, allowing 118.4 points per game on average while scoring only 117.0 (-1.4 margin).
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Naji Marshall: 20.4 | 13.3 | +7.1
Points per game:
Jose Alvarado: 15.4 | 9.7 | +5.7
Rebounds per game:
Zion Williamson: 9.2 | 7.2 | +2.0
JAZZ HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points per game:
Collin Sexton: 18.0 | 14.3 | +3.7
Rebounds per game:
Walker Kessler: 9.2 | 5.7 | +3.5
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NO Pelicans (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
