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).
- 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.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- The Jazz are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games.
- The Pelicans are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs the Northwest Division.
- The OVER is 5-0 in New Orleans’ last 5 home games.
