New Orleans has won three straight, and its frontcourt has a chance to keep that run going. Utah gave up 52 points in the paint in Monday’s 119–97 loss at San Antonio and will be without Jusuf Nurkic on Wednesday. The Jazz may need another burst from deep to keep pace if the Pelicans find room inside.
New Orleans has several ways to test Utah inside
Zion Williamson scored nine of his 25 points in overtime in Monday’s 135–134 win at Memphis. The Pelicans had other options well before the extra period. Derik Queen scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half, and Karlo Matkovic finished with a career-high 25. With Nurkic out and Mo Bamba questionable, Utah could have fewer centers available to handle those different looks.
DraftKings favors New Orleans by 5.5. The Pelicans covered in each of their three straight wins, but Utah beat them 120–119 in October for its only win so far. On Monday, the Jazz scored just 16 in the first quarter at San Antonio, then hit five threes in the second to get within one. If New Orleans finds room inside, Utah will need that kind of perimeter scoring for more than a quarter to stay close.
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How much can Utah contribute at 233.5?
Utah’s last four games went under their posted totals. The Jazz scored 90 and 97 in the last two, and Lauri Markkanen led them with 22 against the Spurs. At a total of 233.5, another quiet night from Utah could let New Orleans build a cushion while still leaving the combined score short.
Utah getting more scoring around Markkanen changes that picture. The first meeting produced 239 combined points, and New Orleans and Memphis were already tied at 124 at the end of regulation on Monday. Watch whether Utah can keep making threes after its first good run. That would take some of the scoring burden off New Orleans and make it harder for the Pelicans to pull away.
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