Jazz vs Pelicans Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Utah Shooters Stay Sharp in Big Easy

Can the Utah Jazz still be considered the hottest team in the NBA if they are on a two-game losing streak? Considering Utah went 1-1 against the spread in that pair, halting a six-game winning stretch both outright and ATS, it certainly has not cooled off worryingly.

Facing the New Orleans Pelicans as a three-bucket underdog in the NBA odds will be more of a concern. Then again, the last three times the Jazz were expected to lose that badly, they won outright, including twice on the road against Eastern Conference contenders.

Go ahead and doubt whatever Utah has cooking. Our free NBA picks and predictions will not make that mistake as we preview Jazz vs. Pelicans on Tuesday, January 23.

Jazz vs Pelicans odds

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Jazz vs Pelicans predictions

The Utah Jazz began the season 3-6 ATS and 2-7 outright. Since then, they have rattled off a 24-11 ATS stretch while going 20-15 outright. Some combination of that abject start, the small Salt Lake City market, and the lack of a clear or young superstar have limited public notice of Utah’s consistency, but its net rating since those first nine games ranks around the middle of the league, ahead of the Mavericks and the Rockets.

That is an inexact way to evaluate a team, but the 35-game sample size is certainly enough to emphasize that the Jazz might be something in the realm of decent-to-good. Utah has been stellar of late, going 13-3 ATS since Dec. 21, including a 9-2 ATS run with a 7-4 outright mark as an underdog.

What changed? Perhaps nothing. A strong ATS stretch is one thing, but the 35-game sample size is rather reminiscent of the Jazz before last season’s trade deadline, surprisingly and stubbornly in the playoff mix until the front office sold off as much of the roster as it could.

There were pieces that it did not dare move, namely Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and Walker Kessler. Each of those first three is averaging more than 20 points per game right now, with Markkanen and Sexton each hitting more than 40% of their 3-pointers.

This hasn’t been a change. It has been a core in a groove for a second year in a row, despite a scuffling start to the season.

The New Orleans Pelicans are better in the basketball metric mentioned above, as their net rating across their last 35 games is 6.7 points ahead of the Jazz. But New Orleans is up-and-down right now, if anything. It has gone 4-4 both outright and ATS since Jan. 5, including losing three times as a favorite.

This also hasn’t been a change. This has been a slightly-above average team playing to that standard with a touch of variance going against it, fitting given how the variance went in the Pelicans’ favor through much of November.

As these two differing trend lines meet, there is little reason to spurn the thought of the underdog winning, not when that has been its habit of late. The home favorite has lost four times in the last couple of weeks as a favorite.

My best bet: Jazz moneyline (+205 at DraftKings)

Jazz vs Pelicans same-game parlay

Jazz moneyline

Lauri Markkanen 4+ 3s

Collin Sexton 2+ 3s

30% boost available

+1,116 +1,451 at FanDuel

Only the Bulls give up more 3-point attempts than the Pelicans. Both are worthwhile defenses, ranking No. 15 and No. 9, respectively, in defensive rating this season. But against a team as 3-point dependent as Utah, New Orleans will be playing a dangerous game.

The Jazz rank No. 9 in the league in 3-point attempt frequency, with 40.9% of their shots coming from beyond the arc. That combination of New Orleans' willingness to give up looks from deep and Utah’s desire to take them should create plenty of chances for Markkanen and Sexton, shooting 41% and 42.2%, respectively, from downtown since Dec. 21.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Jazz vs Pelicans spread and Over/Under analysis

If the above Jazz moneyline thought is too aggressive for you, there should be little doubt in taking Utah against the spread tonight. This line has held rather steady at +6.5, with a brief Tuesday hour at +5.5. The two teams are known, but one remains overlooked. It bears repeating that the Jazz are 13-3 ATS since Dec. 21.

Meanwhile, a bet on Markkanen and Sexton to dial in from deep is clearly also suggesting a bet on an Over, this total of 239.5 having ticked up from opening at 238.5 on Monday evening.

Jazz vs Pelicans betting trend to know

Utah is 7-1 ATS on the road since Dec. 21, with the one loss coming at Boston. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Pelicans.

Jazz vs Pelicans game info

Jazz vs Pelicans latest injuries

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