Jazz vs. Pelicans Game Preview

Previewing the clash when forward Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans welcome center Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz back to the Big Easy.

Chris Dodson | Mar 3, 2022

Jazz vs. Pelicans Game Preview /

In this story:

Previewing the clash when forward Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans welcome center Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz back to the Big Easy.

Will the home team actually get a fair shake from the ref's whistles on their way to a win?

The Big Easy Clash

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz Preview

Nov 26, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) controls the ball against Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

When: March 4, 2022 @ 7 PM CT
Where: New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

Expected Starting Lineups:

New Orleans Pelicans: C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Jonas Valanciunas

Utah Jazz: Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O'Neale, Rudy Gobert

Pelicans A Slight Underdog

Jan 3, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans (26-36, 10th in the Western Conference) will host the Utah Jazz (39-22, 4th) on March 4 at 7 p.m. CST in the Smoothie King Center. This will be the final game of the season series, in which Utah leads 2-1.

The only other time these two squads could meet would be the NBA playoffs' second round. Since the NBA All-Star break, the Pelicans (4th seed) and Jazz (10th seed) have been undefeated. Three games separate them from both the fifth and third seeds.

The Pelicans opens as a slight home underdog, according to the SI SportsBook. It's an understandable line and favorable to local bettors with faith the new-look Pelicans will not play down to old stats. New Orleans scores 107.1 points per game this season (23rd) to Utah's 114.1 (2nd).

The Jazz has the 2nd best offense and 12th best defense compared to the Pelicans 20th ranked offense paired with the 18th best defense rating. David Griffin brought in CJ McCollum to help New Orleans improve its contender levels.

Pels to Even the Score

Jonas Valanciunas — Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

This will be a test of the team's playoff mettle. In the last five games, Ingram and McCollum have found a groove as teammates, averaging over 50 points combined. Jonas Valanciunas might be targeted more often in a playoff series.

Will McCollum and Valanciunas be picked on trying to defend the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert pick and roll, or will they be able to stand their ground? They'll need to if the shots aren't falling and Gobert is getting generous no-calls.

Getting through Gobert will be the biggest obstacle to victory going by recent history. Ingram has not forgotten the NBA admitted Gobert fouled him in a previous game, a Pelicans loss. Look for some strong finishes and multiple trips to the foul line from Ingram. Jaxson Hayes battling Royce O'Neale and Gobert will be interesting for those watching his encouraging development growing his game.

Youth vs Experience

Nov 27, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trent Forrest (3) passes the ball around New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The surging Jazz are on a three-game winning streak after beating the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. Mike Conley has caught fire of late to help Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert push the Jazz to the top half of the playoff bracket. Meanwhile, former Pelican Nickeil Alexander-Walker has logged just 5 minutes in two games with Utah.

The Pelicans should set their defense; Utah averages only ten fast break points per game. Sorting teams by the pace of play, both the Jazz (21st) and Pelicans (22nd) sit in the bottom third of the NBA. With the Jazz coughing up as many turnovers on average as the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, the Pelicans' young legs and active arms need to capitalize on every opportunity.

Team averages for points in the paints and second chance opportunities are near even. The Pelicans ran the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings out of the gym after Willie Green reprioritized some roles and refined his rotations. The Pelicans might lean into that style of play more to earn a much-needed win.

READ PELICANS SCOOP ARTICLES

Published Mar 3, 2022

CHRIS DODSON