The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz 2018-19 Week Two Outlook: Jazz prep to hit the road

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: The Utah Jazz look on during a game against the Golden State Warriors on October 19, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: The Utah Jazz look on during a game against the Golden State Warriors on October 19, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

10/27 Utah at New Orleans

5:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 2-0

Season series: Tied 0-0

After DeMarcus Cousins went down to injury last season, the New Orleans Pelicans went on to flourish to close out the year. That was largely thanks to the solid addition of Nikola Mirotic, who since his arrival in New Orleans has looked like a much better fit alongside AD than Cousins ever was.

He’s continued to showcase that in full force through the season’s first two games this year as Mirotic has thus far averaged 33 points on an amazing 61 percent from the field and 64.7 percent from deep to go along with 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Meanwhile, Davis has been spectacular as well, putting up averages of 28.5 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists per contest.

New Orleans’ new additions such as Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton have been solid as well. I know it’s early in the season, but I would not be surprised if the Pelicans ended up being a surprise team in the West. If Davis continues to be an MVP-caliber player and Mirotic and the rest of New Orleans’ role players keep up their prolific pace, you can bet that the Pelicans will be a tough out all year long.

Utah will most certainly find that out when they visit AD and Co. next Saturday. And although the Jazz have matched up pretty well against New Orleans in years past (they won three of four meetings last season), in this early road bout, I expect the Pelicans, who have looked superb so far, to narrowly edge out the Jazz.

My Prediction: Pelicans Win

Final Score: New Orleans 122, Utah 118

Home/Jazz News