Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The NBA’s return kicks off between the fourth place Utah Jazz and the tenth place New Orleans Pelicans!
• The Utah Jazz will be without second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic for the remainder of the season.
• This game will feature Zion Williamson’s much anticipated return to the court!

Jazz vs Pelicans Odds

Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Odds

The Utah Jazz are a very balanced team across the board. However, with more to play for, an impressive scrimmage schedule, and a starring role for Zion Williamson in the leagues return, we see the New Orleans Pelicans taking it to climb their way into the playoff picture.

WSN Picks: New Orleans Pelicans defeat Utah Jazz

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Utah Jazz (Away)

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The Utah Jazz enters this return to the NBA season as one of the most talked about teams. Considering they were at the center of the NBA’s initial suspension in mid-March, they will certainly be ready to prove they’ve not missed a step.

The Jazz went 2-1 over the course of their three-game scrimmage schedule, showing that they are more than prepared for the return of the NBA season. With Bojan Bogdanovic out for the remainder of the campaign, coach Quin Snyder has gone deeper into his bench to find production.

They’ll have their hands full with a young and athletic team like the New Orleans Pelicans. Considering the Pelicans can strike exactly where Utah can struggle, on the break, the Jazz will need to prove their defensive versatility early.

Utah Jazz Roster Notes

(F) Bojan Bogdanovic – 1 June 2020 – Out For Season (Right Wrist) – The Jazz announced that Bogdanovic had season-ending surgery on his right wrist in May. The hope is that he’s ready to return next season.

New Orleans Pelicans (Home)

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The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver got their wish. Not only are the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA’s return schedule, but emerging star Zion Williamson is set to feature heavily.

The New Orleans Pelicans finished their three-game scrimmage schedule undefeated. Their youthfulness was on full display. The Pelicans showed that their game plan will be filled with effort, in order to compensate for their technical deficiencies.

Utah has a tough defense that is difficult to overcome at the rim. In order for the Pelicans to succeed, they’ll need to be efficient from deep. A difficult goal, considering the Jazz are third overall in three-pointers allowed and attempted.

New Orleans Pelicans Roster Notes

(F) Zion Williamson – 22 July 2020 – Day To Day (Personal) – Williamson is away from the team indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The plan is for Williamson to rejoin the team sometime at a later date in Orlando for the restart of the NBA season.

(F) Darius Miller – 10 July 2020 – Out For Season (Achilles) – The Pelicans announced that Miller will continue his rehab on his right Achilles and he will not play again this season.

What’s at Stake?

A win for the Utah Jazz would bring them within one game of the third-place Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference table.

A win for the New Orleans Pelicans would place them ninth in the Western Conference table, ahead of the currently ninth Portland Trail Blazers.

The Utah Jazz has dominated the all-time series against the New Orleans Pelicans. Over 61 games played, the Jazz leads the Pelicans 38-23.

Who Can Step up in Place of Bogdanovic?

A really nice first half from Mike Conley, 15 points and 3 of 5 from deep. I think he’s a guy that really can help to pick up the scoring that they are going to miss with Bogdanovic out. pic.twitter.com/s9x1d9HEx7

— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) July 27, 2020

The Utah Jazz were dealt a massive blow when, on June 1st, Bojan Bogdanovic underwent season-ending surgery on his wrist and became unavailable until the 2020-2021 campaign. His 20.2 points per game on 41.4% shooting from three were crucial to the Jazz’s offensive schemes.

The question for Quin Snyder is, where can he make up for that production with his current roster? While it is easy to look at the bench for additional impact, all eyes are on point guard Mike Conley. Conley’s production has taken a downturn since averaging 21.1 points and 6.4 assists per game on 36.4% shooting from three last season.

Compared to his current 13.8 points and 4.3 assists per game average on 37.6% shooting from deep, it’s clear that Conley’s form has taken a noticeable hit. He is shooting better from three this year than last, owing to the Jazz’s exceptional ball movement. If the Jazz want to make a run to the Finals this year, Conley will have to return to his star form to make up for the missing Bogdanovic.

Easy Offence for the Pelicans

Pelicans go on the fast break and E’Twaun cleans it up off the glass! pic.twitter.com/3wsAWtINWh

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 5, 2020

It is no secret what the New Orleans Pelicans want to do when they hit the court against the Utah Jazz. Considering the Jazz’s proficiency defending in the half-court, the Pelicans will act on their strengths and attack the Jazz on the break.

New Orleans ranks fifth overall in fast-break points per game with 17.2. That puts them in the same class as teams like the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks in that category. On the other side of things, the Jazz are no slouches defending the break, ranking tenth overall, and allowing just an average of 12.6 break points per game.

This match will be decided upon which team will be able to enforce their game plan best. Neither team is particularly strong once their bench is in play, but New Orleans has the slight edge. After such a significant layoff for both sides, the Pelicans would benefit by generating as many easy baskets as possible.