Pelicans Dominate Jazz 124-90

The New Orleans Pelicans continued their four-game streak of running out to 30+ point leads in victories.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans continued their four-game streak of running out to 30+ point leads in victories and besting the Utah Jazz 124-90. 

The New Orleans Pelicans continued their streak of scoring 30-point leads in a 124-90 win over the Utah Jazz in the Smoothie King Center. Brandon Ingram (29 pts) and CJ McCollum (24 pts) again led the charge while Jaxson Hayes, Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado continued to shine in their newly expanded roles. However, the defense set the tone, including Herb Jones not allowing a made shot as the primary defender on Donovan Mitchell.

Hayes explained, "I feel like we've done a great job as a team defensively. Everyone is picking up everyone's slack. If somebody gets beat, somebody is there. Our team defense as a whole has gotten really good."

It's all about picking up your teammates and having fun, and the Pelicans are were downright playful during the post-game press conference. Jones and Alvarado were in the room early to lob questions to Willy Hernangomez. Head Coach Willie Green credited Hernangomez for stepping up to play against the big Jazz lineups on a night. He was such an influence and named the player of the game to earn an on-court interview. The family atmosphere is palpable throughout the night.

Mar 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and center Hassan Whiteside (21) in the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Pelicans started the season 1-12 but now control their destiny to host an NBA Playoff play-in game as the 9th seed. This team did not give up at any point during the season and did not let up even when leading by 30 over the Jazz. Alvarado was hounding Utah for 94 feet and banking in three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. That tenacity is a source of pride for this team, and the scoreboard is starting to reflect the reality that this is an excellent basketball team. And that's before adding Larry Nance Jr. and possibly even Zion Williamson.

New Orleans made 50 shots, dished out 29 assists, and grabbed 52 rebounds in running the Jazz out of the gym. In between, the team stuck to the script charted out in the Pelicans Scoop scouting report. Ingram finished strong, and though both teams have been in the bottom ten for pace of play this season. New Orleans had 36 points off of turnovers and 20 fastbreak points. Their new identity will cause some problems for teams down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Mar 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes (10) reacts after dunking against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Jazz had one lead of one point in the first quarter. Then the Pelicans made a run, and the game was practically over, going into halftime with the score at 65-38. New Orleans kept the starters on the bench for the fourth quarter, yet still, the Pelicans stretched the lead 37 when Alvarado banked in that shrug-it-off three-pointer. The rest of the game was just an extended Mardi Gras party in the Smoothie King Center.

The Pelicans have won every game since the All-Star break by an average of 26.8 points, two over play-in rivals and two over title contenders. Those Suns were missing Chris Paul, but the Jazz was full strength. New Orleans just passed the most significant test to their playoff mettle. Now they fly to Denver to face off against another top-tier team with an MVP candidate. Will the Pelicans pull off another upset? Stay tuned to Pelicans Scoop for the latest game previews and scouting reports.