The ten-win Utah Jazz and ten-win New Orleans Pelicans will face off on Friday night. The Pelicans are in much better recent form after having won three of their last four while the Jazz have lost four of their last five.
But despite that, we expect Utah to be able to play inside the massive +11 spread for tonight's Jazz vs. Pelicans predictions.
Continue reading for free NBA picks for their matchup on Friday, January 17.
Jazz vs Pelicans prediction
My best bet
Pelicans -11 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The tank race this year to "Capture the Flagg" has been fierce thus far, and the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans are doing their best to improve their lottery odds after amassing just 10 wins so far.
But the Pelicans have actually looked like a semi-competitive team as of late, winning three of their last four and their lone loss coming by one point against the Celtics.
It certainly helps to have Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson on the court together, even if it means Williamson can only play so many games and for so many minutes for what is deemed as "Return to Competition Reconditioning" after not playing for two months.
He sat out the Pelicans' last game for that reason but is available tonight, which should help the Pelicans take care of the spiraling Jazz who have now lost four of their last five and nine of their last 12.
Granted it has just been ten days, but since Zion's return the Pelicans have at least looked like a league average team. They rank exactly 16th in offensive, defensive, and net rating during that time and their competency with the ball has been notably improved (top ten in assist to turnover rate).
11 points on the spread may seem like a lot in a game featuring two 10-win teams, but the Pelicans are a much different team than the Jazz.
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Jazz vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Pelicans -10.5
Zion Williamson over 23.5 points
Dejounte Murray over 7.5 assists
Zion Williamson will play tonight and he has a chance to rack up some points against a Jazz defense that has allowed the fourth-most points to opposing centers.
Granted he isn't a traditional center and plays alongside Yves Missi who profiles closer to one, but Missi has put up just 4.3 shots per game in the three games he has played alongside Zion since returning, nearly half the average he posted in December while Williamson was out.
Utah has also been rather poor at disrupting passing lanes for opposing point guards, as their 10.5 assists allowed per game is the second-worst average this year. That should bode well for Dejounte Murray tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Jazz vs Pelicans odds
Jazz vs Pelicans live odds
Jazz vs Pelicans opening odds
- Spread: Utah +11 (-110) | New Orleans -11 (-110)
- Moneyline: Utah +450 | New Orleans -600
- Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Jazz vs Pelicans spread and Over/Under analysis
- Despite just having ten wins to their name, the Jazz have played to a 20-18-1 ATS record this year which is good for the seventh-best cover rate.
- Conversely, New Orleans have gone just 18-24 ATS which is good for the eighth-worst cover rate.
- The Pelicans have been better as home favorites having gone 3-3 ATS in that split, and have covered in four straight heading into tonight.
- Utah has gone 21-17-1 to the Over this year (seventh), and 13-8 that way on the road (fourth).
Jazz vs Pelicans trend
New Orleans has gone 23-18-1 to the Over (sixth), and 13-8 to the Over at home (fifth). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Jazz vs Pelicans
| Location: | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Date: | Friday, 1-17-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | KJZZ, GCSEN |
Jazz vs Pelicans latest injuries
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