While neither the New Orleans Pelicans nor Utah Jazz have been anywhere close to good this season, they are both playing for something, a better shot at earning the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
Heading into this matchup, Utah is in much better shape to lose with five of its six top scorers set to miss the game due to rest and injury, which is why my Pelicans vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 2 are backing New Orleans to win big.
Pelicans vs Jazz prediction
My best bet
Pelicans -7 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Good luck to Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy with Lauri Markkanen (back), Jordan Clarkson (foot), John Collins (back), Collin Sexton (ankle), and Walker Kessler (rest) all set to miss tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
That group makes up five of Utah’s top six players in minutes and points per game, and the team is set to start three rookies in Isaiah Collier, Cody Williams, and Kyle Filipowski. Collier is the only one of those three to play more than 20 MPG this season. So, even with the Pelicans having an atrocious season, they should take advantage of the undermanned Jazz.
New Orleans is expected to have Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III on the court tonight. That trio is poised to demolish a Jazz defense that’s arguably the worst in the league even when its regular starters are healthy. Utah is last in the NBA in defensive rating (119.4) and allows the fourth-most PPG (119.3).
There’s not a player on the Jazz capable of slowing Williamson, who despite playing just 28.3 MPG across 22 games this season, has managed to average more than 24 PPG on 56.1% shooting from the floor. He will simply be too strong and explosive for players like Williams or KJ Martin to slow down.
Meanwhile, the backup show in Utah likely won’t take advantage of a flimsy New Orleans defense. While the Pelicans are just 22nd in the league in points allowed per game (110.7) and 25th in defensive rating (110.8), Keyonte George is the only player available for the Jazz averaging double-digit points (16.5).
With such little offensive firepower, it’s hard to fathom how an offense that’s just 20th in rating (112.4) with its usual lineup will keep up with an All-Star caliber forward taking the court in Williamson.
Pelicans vs Jazz same-game parlay
Pelicans -7
Zion Williamson Over 24.5 points
CJ McCollum Over 2.5 threes
Williamson may be an enigma, but he can still be a physically imposing force. The two-time All-Star is coming off a 27-point, 11-rebound performance and can continue that impressive play against the Jazz.
Utah is allowing the fourth-most PPG to small forwards (23.61) and Williamson has gone Over 24.5 points in eight of his last 12 games. It won’t just be him making music against the Jazz either, as McCollum can take advantage of horrific perimeter defense with his 3-point shooting.
Utah allows the most 3-pointers per game in the league (14.7) and McCollum is hitting 3.1 per game on 37.4% shooting from behind the arc. He’s hit three-plus threes in 26 of 45 games this year.
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Pelicans vs Jazz odds
Pelicans vs Jazz live odds
Pelicans vs Jazz opening odds
- Spread: New Orleans -4.5 (-110) | Utah +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: New Orleans -185 | Utah +155
- Over/Under: Over 233.5 (-110) | Under 233.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pelicans vs Jazz spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Pelicans opened as a 4.5-point road favorite, but the line has shifted drastically in their direction to -7 with so many of the Jazz’s players out.
- New Orleans is one of the worst teams ATS this season at just 25-34-1 while Utah sitting at 31-28.
- The Over/Under opened as high as 234.5 and has steadily come down to 232.5 due to Utah being far from full strength.
- These are two of the best teams in the NBA betting the Over with the Jazz at 34-24-1 and the Pelicans being 34-25-1.
Pelicans vs Jazz trend
The Utah Jazz have only hit the moneyline in 18 of their last 79 games (-15.65 Units / -20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Jazz.
How to watch Pelicans vs Jazz
| Location | Arena, City, State/Province |
| Date | Sunday, 3-2-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Root Sports Plus, KJZZ 14 |
Pelicans vs Jazz latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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