Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport
Jazz vs Pelicans: Two teams with different momentum
The New Orleans Pelicans have lost the last two games and will host the Utah Jazz, winners of the last three, on Thursday night at Smoothie King Center.
Can the Jazz move up in the standings?
The Utah Jazz had a rough start to the season and are sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 13-18 record. They are only 5-13 on the road but have won the last three games. Most recently, the Jazz defeated the San Antonio Spurs 130-118. Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz. He leads the team with 24 points per game this season. The Jazz are ninth in the league in three-point attempts per game and three-point percentage.
Can the Pelicans get back on winning track?
The New Orleans Pelicans are 7th in the Western Conference with a 17-14 record. They are 6-4 in the last 10 games but have lost the last two to the Grizzlies and the Rockets, both times at home. Brandon Ingram is the leading scorer on the team, averaging 23.1 points per game, followed by Zion Williamson with 22.3. The Pelicans are fifth in the league free-throw attempts per game and fourth in defending the three-point line.
Betting Trends
The Jazz are 4-1 ATS in the last five games and 5-0 ATS in the last five games against the Pelicans. They are also 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Southwest Division. The Pelicans are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games.
Player to watch
Kris Dunn has rejuvenated his career with the Jazz. The 2016 fifth overall pick is averaging 5.3 points and 3.7 assists per game but has dished out at least 10 assists in two of the last three games and is averaging 7.3 points in the last 10 games.
Injury Reports
Larry Nance Jr. and Matt Ryan are out for the Pelicans while the Jazz have their full roster available.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Jazz and the Pelicans are going into this game with a different momentum. The Jazz are the winners of the last three games, while the Pels lost the last two. Somehow, the Pelicans are an 8.5-point favorite in this game, which is pretty much knowing that they failed in the last two home games. The Jazz are ending their five-game road trip in New Orleans and are at least 50-50 in this game. Lauri Markkanen is playing on an All-Star level and will be a huge problem for the Pelicans’ defense, as he scored at least 30 in the last two games. The Jazz have covered the spread the last five times they played the Pelicans and will do that again tonight.
10 no sweat bets up to $1000 total
