Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 10/23/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans, AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain

DraftKings: Pelicans -7.5

FanDuel: NL

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Pelicans -7.5

Jazz: 2-0

Pelicans: 2-0

Recent form

Jazz: won 132-126 (OT) at Timberwolves

Pelicans: won 124-112 at Hornets

The Utah Jazz are clearly better without Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert and they’re going to win the NBA championship. Everyone please prepare the parade down central Salt Lake City and get ready to party like it’s 1998, almost. Wait, isn’t one supposed to do that after a 2-0 start and getting revenge on one of the former players? I suppose not, but the Jazz can go to 3-0 when they visit the also 2-0 New Orleans Pelicans, who have every right to also feel good about where they are at the current moment.

The Jazz met with Gobert for the first time since trading him to Minnesota this summer, winning 132-126 in overtime against the Timberwolves on Friday. It was truly a balanced affair for the Jazz with Jordan Clarkson leading the way with 29 points, and Lauri Markkanen chipping in 24 points and 13 rebounds. Kelly Olynyk, because that name doesn’t get an eye-pop or two every time he’s mentioned, went for 21 points and had four steals. Meanwhile, Gobert was held to just nine points on 4 of 10 shooting in his first game against his former team, but grabbed down 23 rebounds because of course he did.

“They understand that based on what certain people say about them that we are sort of an underdog, and I like that our team has a chip on their shoulder,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.

So far, the Hardy era has worked out. Quin Snyder’s resignation was seemed as the cherry on top for what was a rather ridiculous offseason for the Jazz coming off a playoff appearance. So far, there’s a lot of points but no defense – the norm one would guess in Utah – and it’s going to take a few more games before everyone figures out what to do with this group. There’s still time, but it’s hard to win if Clarkson is your No. 1 option offensively.

The Pelicans don’t have that issue at the moment. They have four guys who can take the ball and dominate on any given night. Jonas Valanciunas was that option on Friday in the 124-112 win over the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte. Valanciunas had 30 points and 17 rebounds to pace what was an other-worldly performance from the New Orleans starting five. Brandon Ingram had 28 and nine rebounds (and seven assists, and went 11 of 11 from the free-throw line), and C.J. McCollum had 21 points while shooting above 50%.

And of course you can’t forget that Zion guy. He looks solid in his first couple of games back, finishing with 16 points and five rebounds despite shooting 7 of 19. There’s a threat everywhere on the floor right now for the Pelicans and that’s why it makes them such a daunting team in the Western Conference at the moment. But if Valanciunas gets it going like he did Friday, the sky’s the limit for this team, really.

“He was excellent,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of his big man. “Defensively he is always where he needs to be, contesting shots, scrappy, getting steals and rebound the ball. All of the things that he does to complement our team does not go unnoticed in that locker room.”

The Pelicans are laying as much as 7.5 in this one with the books slightly believing in what the Jazz have put together through these first couple of games. Alas, the Cinderella magic has to run out at some point and things will progress as they may, but New Orleans is the far better team at this current point. 

The Pels have a chance to really garner some momentum. The fact they can do that while Zion continues to round into shape is a huge bonus. Pelicans by 14

Jazz are 35-47 off an over over the last three years.

Jazz are 5-14 ATS when the total is 230 or greater over the last three years.

Jazz are 9-14 ATS off a division win over the last three years

Pelicans are 40-41 ATS at home over the last three years.

Pelicans are 19-19 ATS the last three years as a home favorite.

PG: Mike Conley

SG: Jordan Clarkson

SF: Lauri Markkanen

PF: Jarred Vanderbilt

C: Kelly Olynyk

PG: CJ McCollum

SG: Brandon Ingram

SF: Herb Jones

PF: Zion Williamson

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Jazz: None

Hornets: Kira Lewis (day-to-day), Jaxson Hayes (day-to-day)

Points: Lauri Markkanen -- 20.5

Rebounds: Jarred Vanderbilt -- 13.0

Assists: Mike Conley -- 9.5

Points: Brandon Ingram -- 28.0

Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas -- 15.0

Assists: Brandon Ingram -- 6.0