Pelicans Aim for Fourth Straight Win Against Struggling Jazz on MLK Day

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Utah Jazz in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day NBA matchup at the Smoothie King Center on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. The Pelicans, riding a three-game winning streak, look to extend their dominance against a Jazz team plagued by injuries and a five-game losing skid.

New Orleans (11-32) enters the game fresh off a 136-123 victory over Utah on Friday, marking their highest-scoring game of the season. Zion Williamson led the charge with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Trey Murphy added 26 points. The Pelicans are favored by 11 points, with the over/under set at 231.5 points, according to SportsLine consensus.

Utah (10-30) faces significant challenges, missing key players due to injuries, including Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. Despite their struggles, the Jazz have historically performed well against the Pelicans, winning 13 of their last 20 meetings and covering the spread in six of their last eight matchups.

Walker Kessler, Utah’s standout center, is expected to play a pivotal role. Kessler, averaging a career-high 11.3 rebounds per game, has thrived in road games, pulling down 12.2 rebounds on average. With Collins sidelined, Kessler’s rebounding opportunities increase, making him a key player to watch.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, predicts the game will go under the total points line. The model also suggests a point-spread pick that hits in nearly 70% of simulations. Fans and bettors alike are eager to see if the Pelicans can secure their fourth consecutive win or if the Jazz can defy the odds and stage an upset.