Offense meets defense when the Utah Jazz (16-14, 10-5 Home) host the New Orleans Pelicans (18-9, 6-6 Away) on Thursday. The teams face off in their second straight game against each other. Utah blew out New Orleans 121-100 at Vivint Arena on Tuesday. Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 21 points, while Jarred Vanderbilt played a key role with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Zion Williamson had 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the losing effort. The Pelicans are first in the Western Conference, 0.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz are ninth in the Western Conference.Utah is unbeaten in the season series against New Orleans, winning both of their matchups.
Williamson is averaging 25.0 points per game, best in the league, to lead the Pels in scoring this season. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas is grabbing 9.1 rebounds per game, most in the league, and CJ McCollum is dishing 5.7 assists (1st).
Lauri Markkanen (22.1 ppg) and Jordan Clarkson (19.5) have been the primary providers of the Jazz’s offense. Markkanen leads the league in scoring, while Clarkson is first. Markkanen also has pulled down 8.6 rebounds per game, most in the NBA, while Clarkson has distributed 4.8 assists per game, most in the NBA.
The Jazz rank third in the NBA in offensive efficiency, while the Pelicans are third in defensive efficiency. The Jazz have had the advantage in the Pelicans’ last 10 trips to Vivint Arena, winning seven.
In the last 10 games, New Orleans is 8-2 with an average margin of +5.4 (117.0-111.6). Utah has a 4-6 record over the last 10, scoring 117.5 points per game on average while holding opponents to 115.9 (+1.6 margin).
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Naji Marshall: 18.4 | 13.2 | +5.2
Herbert Jones: 8.0 | 15.9 | -7.9
Points per game:
Herbert Jones: 6.0 | 10.3 | -4.3
JAZZ HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Walker Kessler: 19.4 | 12.9 | +6.5
Points per game:
Collin Sexton: 18.0 | 14.3 | +3.7
Rebounds per game:
Walker Kessler: 10.2 | 6.1 | +4.1
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Utah Jazz (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
