The Utah Jazz faced a difficult set of circumstances in their last contest. Beating the Golden State Warriors on the tail end of a back-to-back was always going to be a challenge. It turned out to be an insurmountable one for the Jazzmen.
Tonight might be a case of karmic retribution.
Every team in the NBA has talent, and none should be taken lightly. With that said, the New Orleans Pelicans don’t pose a serious challenge to the Jazz in the best of times. These are not the best of times in the Big Easy. Obviously, they’ll be without Zion Williamson, as they have been all season. However, it appears unlikely that Jonas Valanciunas (protocols) or Brandon Ingram (Achilles) will be available for this contest either.
The Jazz (26-10) only need to execute, and they should make light work of the struggling Pelicans (13-23).
Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds Tonight
According to WynnBet, the Jazz are 11 point favorites to come away with the victory tonight.
The over/under is presently at 228.5.
Utah Jazz Starting Lineup
The Jazz are the only team in the NBA to not have had a player in the league’s Health and Safety Protocols this season. They’ll enjoy their full cast of starters tonight. Look for Quin Snyder to deploy his preferred starting lineup of Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
Hassan Whiteside is questionable for tonight’s contest. The backup big man is in the league’s concussion protocols. Meanwhile, Eric Paschall remains out for personal reasons.
Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
Surprisingly, the Pelicans do own a victory over the Jazz this season. They came out on top of an ugly 98-97 contest on November 26. On the other hand, the Jazz handily defeated the Pelicans in their last contest by a score of 127-105 (the day after).
We’ll take that result as the one that more likely reflects what’s probable tonight. The Pelicans enter this contest as a lottery-bound outfit missing their first, second and third offensive options. Devonte’ Graham will have a tall order ahead of him if he’s hoping to carry his Pelicans past the contending Utah Jazz.
Almost inevitably, too tall of an order. All the Jazz need to do tonight is execute, and victory should be theirs. The overwhelmingly safe money is on that exact outcome tonight.
Prediction: Jazz 126, Pelicans 108
Make your pick now with WynnBet
Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans TV Channel
Fans in New Orleans can turn to either Bally Sports New Orleans or Fox Sports New Orleans to catch this contest. Meanwhile, fans in Utah should go to AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Utah Jazz Schedule and Next Game
The Jazz get a day’s rest tomorrow before squaring off with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and his (depleted) Denver Nuggets on January 5. Following that matchup, they embark on a long Eastern Conference road trip.
On January 7, they’ll head to Canada for a contest with the Toronto Raptors. Following that matchup, they face off with the Indiana Pacers the next day, and the Detroit Pistons on January 10.