Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

The Utah Jazz (2-0) travel east to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (2-0) Sunday. Tip from the Smoothie King Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Jazz vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

While many thought the Jazz were going to be tanking after trading G Donovan Mitchell and C Rudy Gobert this offseason, Utah has come out perfect in 2 games.

It beat the Denver Nuggets 123-102 to start the season and followed that up with a 132-126 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Utah’s leading scorer is F Lauri Markkanen, averaging 20.5 points per game.

As for the Pelicans, with the return of F Zion Williamson, they also look like a team capable of doing damage in the Western Conference.

They started off the season with a 22-point win over the Brooklyn Nets and a 12-point win over the Charlotte Hornets. F Brandon Ingram is the team’s scoring leader, averaging 28 points per game.

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Jazz at Pelicans odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:49 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Jazz +245 (bet $100 to win $245) | Pelicans -320 (bet $320 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Jazz +7.5 (-110) | Pelicans -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Jazz at Pelicans key injuries

Jazz

None

Pelicans

C Jaxson Hayes (elbow) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Jazz at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Pelicans 119, Jazz 111

Moneyline

PASS.

Both teams have proven enough to make this moneyline unplayable.

The Pelicans at more than three times the necessary original wager to return a unit isn’t worth it, and at the same time, they’ve proven formidable enough to not bet against.

Against the spread

BET PELICANS -7.5 (-110).

The Pelicans ranked 4th in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate last season, and they’ve started off strong this season as well with the size of Williamson and C Jonas Valančiūnas.

New Orleans sits 1st in offensive rebounding rate. With both teams in the top half of the league in pace, those extra opportunities should come in bulk for the home side.

Also, Utah’s wins over Denver and Minnesota are more about the shortcomings of their opponents. The Nuggets struggled to find rhythm with G Jamal Murray back in the lineup while the Timberwolves couldn’t capitalize on 2nd chances despite securing 22 offensive boards.

The Pelicans rank 13th in turnover rate as compared to Utah’s 22nd. The Jazz have hot, microwave-type scores in G Jordan Clarkson and G Collin Sexton.

With New Orleans’ length behind the 7-foot-2 wingspan of F Herb Jones and the 7-foot-3 wingspan of Ingram which gives the ability to alter shots, back them to cover here.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 229.5 (-115).

As noted, both teams rank in the top half of the league in pace.

Both teams also rank top 5 in offensive rating and offensive rebounding rate. With the Jazz sitting 25th in defensive rebounding rate, the Pelicans should have the extra opportunities which may force this game to pick up in pace.

Also, both teams have scored over 120 points in each of their first 2 games this season.

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