The New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz meet for the final time this season on Sunday night at the Delta Center, with the Pels looking to complete a sweep of the season series. The Pelicans won the first two matchups at home, relying on hot three-point shooting and some clutch performances down the stretch while averaging 129.5 points in those games.
Despite injuries and inconsistent play, the Pelicans have been playing much better lately. Zion Williamson’s availability remains the biggest factor in New Orleans’ success—when he plays, the Pelicans look like a competitive team. When he doesn’t, their overall lack of firepower is painfully evident.
New Orleans has torched Utah from beyond the arc in their two meetings, sinking a combined 37 threes—more than in any other two-game span this season. Their 22 triples on January 17 tied for the fourth-most in franchise history. The Pelicans have made 15 or more three-pointers in a game only 13 times this season, and two of those have come against the Jazz.
CJ McCollum has been particularly deadly against the Jazz, connecting on 11 of his 24 three-point attempts. Trey Murphy III, one of the Pelicans’ most consistent performers, has also been a major threat from deep. With Utah missing key players like Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson, the Pelicans could find themselves with plenty of open looks once again.
The Pelicans may also be getting more balance on the inside, with rookie Yves Missi playing some of his best basketball. He recorded a career-high 24 points against Phoenix and leads all rookies in rebounds (8.2 per game) while ranking third in blocks (1.4).
Despite their dominance over Utah this season, the Pelicans have struggled historically in Salt Lake City. Their last win there came on November 26, 2021, when Devonte’ Graham sank a game-winning three-pointer. Since then, they’ve dropped five straight in Utah.
New Orleans has made strides defensively since the All-Star break, improving from 29th in net rating before the break to 13th since. The Jazz, meanwhile, continue to struggle, ranking near the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
With Zion Williamson expected to play, the Pelicans will have their most dynamic offensive weapon available. Trey Murphy III remains a key factor as well, averaging 21.8 points per game in recent outings. His ability to space the floor could exploit Utah’s depleted frontcourt.
While it would be nice for the Pelicans to snap their road losing streak to the Jazz, a win would jeopardize their chances of earning a top-two pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. New Orleans will continue to strike a delicate balance between competing on the court and planning for the future throughout the rest of the regular season.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Utah Jazz | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Isaiah Collier | G – Bruce Brown |
| G – Collin Sexton | G – Jordan Hawkins |
| F – Johnny Juzang | F – Trey Murphy |
| F – John Collins | F – Kelly Olynyk |
| C – Walker Kessler | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Utah Jazz: Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), John Collins (lower back), Taylor Hendricks (right fibula), Walker Kessler (rest), Lauri Markkanen (lower back), and Collin Sexton (left ankle) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Boston (left ankle sprain), Herb Jones (right shoulder torn rotator cuff), and Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (16-44) vs Utah Jazz (15-44)
Season Series:
- Jan. 17: Pelicans def. Jazz, 136-123
- Jan. 20: Pelicans def. Jazz, 123-119
- Mar. 2: Pelicans at Jazz
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 30-48 all-time against the Utah Jazz and have won four in a row.
Where: Delta Center
When: Mar. 2, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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