Utah vs New Orleans Odds & Prediction

The Utah Jazz enjoy their latest franchise homecoming as the team with the best record in the NBA – and they’re showing no signs of slowing down as they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. The Jazz (27-7 SU, 25-8-1 ATS) are on an incredible cover stretch as they return to Louisiana to face the Pelicans (14-19 SU, 14-19 ATS).

Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date/Time: March 1, 8 p.m. ET
Arena: Smoothie King Center
TV Coverage: NBATV
Sportsbook Odds: Jazz -7.5 | O/U 234 (Line History)
Jazz vs Pelicans Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Utah opened at -7.5, but money on the underdog has shifted that line to -7 in most spots. The total has also seen modest movement, rising a point and a half from a 234 open.

Utah News & Notes

Utah looked out of sync in Miami, dropping a 124-116 decision that halted a two-game winning streak, but the Jazz fixed those issues the next time out, cruising past Orlando 124-109 to earn a split of their two-game Florida jaunt. The Jazz have lost back-to-back games just once this season and are an incredible 23-3 SU since doing so back on January 5-6.

There’s more good news for Jazz fans and backers, with point guard Mike Conley expected to return following a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Conley has had a strong season despite not having to shoulder much of the offensive load; his 23.1 percent usage rate matches his mark from last year and is his lowest since 2015-16 when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies.

New Orleans News & Notes

It’s been a rough go for the Pelicans, who are just 3-7 SU and ATS in their past 10 games and have had all sorts of problems beating the original New Orleans franchise in their return to Louisiana (going just 1-8 SU in the Jazz’s last nine visits).

It’s worth noting, however, that the Pelicans fought hard on their recent two-game mini-trip, falling to San Antonio and Milwaukee by a combined seven points.

One bright spot in the Pelicans’ dismal 2020-21 season has been the emergence of Zion Williamson as one of the top players in the NBA. The second-year big man and former No. 1 overall pick is averaging a career-best 25.5 points while shooting a blistering 61.5 percent from the field; he also ranks fifth in the league with a 27.12 Player Efficiency Rating for the season.

Betting Pick: UNDER 235.5 (-110)

The Pelicans are on an OVER heater at Smoothie King, but let’s not get carried away here. Both teams play at a below-average pace, and the Jazz are one of the most responsible defensive teams in the NBA.