Pelicans at Jazz odds, picks and predictions

Feb. 26, 2026, 12:13 a.m. ET

The New Orleans Pelicans (17-42) face the Utah Jazz (18-40) Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tip-off from Delta Center is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Pelicans won 3-0

New Orleans won its second straight game Tuesday, beating the Golden State Warriors 113-109 outright as a 1.5-point home underdog as the Under 228.5 cashed. F Zion Williamson led with 26 points, G Saddiq Bey added 18, and G Dejounte Murray scored 13 in his first game in nearly 13 months after an Achilles injury.

Utah dropped its third straight game Monday, falling 125-105 to the Houston Rockets. The Jazz failed to cover as 13.5-point road underdogs with the Over (228.5) cashing. F Lauri Markkanen led the way with 29 points, while F Brice Sensabaugh added 26 off the bench on 10-of-15 shooting. G Vince Williams Jr. suffered a torn ACL in the second quarter and is done for the season.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pelicans at Jazz odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Jazz +154 (bet $100 to win $154)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -4.5 (-110) | Jazz +4.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 240.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pelicans at Jazz key injuries

Pelicans

C Yves Missi (calf) outF Trey Murphy III (shoulder) out

Jazz

G Keyonte George (ankle) questionableF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) outC Walker Kessler (shoulder) outF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) questionableF Jusuf Nurkic (nose) outG Vince Williams Jr. (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Pelicans at Jazz picks and predictionsPrediction

Pelicans 130, Jazz 116

PASS.

The Pelicans (-190) should win this matchup, the first of back-to-back games in Utah, but the moneyline odds offer little value. Instead, the better approach is backing New Orleans against the spread in this spot.

BET PELICANS -3.5 (-110).

New Orleans has controlled this matchup, winning the last 5 meetings against Utah and covering in 4 of its last 6 games overall. The Pelicans come in with stronger recent form and a clear matchup advantage, especially inside. They lead the NBA in paint scoring at 57.6 points per game, which directly targets a Jazz defense that has struggled for multiple seasons and ranks among the league’s worst. Utah lacks consistent rim protection and continues to allow high-percentage looks in the paint and mid-range.

The Jazz are also in a clear rebuild, with key players like C Walker Kessler and C Jusuf Nurkić undergoing season-ending surgeries, and Williams recently suffering a torn ACL. Meanwhile, New Orleans is getting healthier, with Murray back in the lineup and Williamson playing at a high level, averaging 23.1 points a game in February. With Utah focused on draft positioning and defensive issues persisting, the Pelicans hold a major edge.

BET UNDER 240.5 (-110).

All signs point to the Over in this matchup. The last 4 meetings between New Orleans and Utah have gone Over, and recent trends back it up. The Over has cashed in 3 of the Pelicans’ last 4 and in the Jazz’s last 3 games. Both teams play at a fast pace, and Utah’s defense has been a major issue, allowing a league-worst 125.9 points per game. With poor defensive metrics and consistent high-scoring games, this matchup sets up for another Over.

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Pelicans at Jazz odds, picks and predictions

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