New Orleans visits Utah on Friday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with both teams trying to recover from opening losses. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, with coverage through KJZZ and Jazz+ for Utah and Gulf Coast Sports and Pelicans+ for New Orleans. The Jazz are favored by 3.5 points, with the total used here at 241.5. I’m taking the Pelicans with the points and leaning under the total.
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Pelicans vs Jazz Game Information
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz |
| Date | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Tipoff | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| Arena | Delta Center |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Regional coverage | KJZZ / Jazz+; Gulf Coast Sports / Pelicans+ |
| Spread used | New Orleans +3.5 |
| Total used | 241.5 |
New Orleans Needs to Finish What It Starts
New Orleans enters 0-1 overall and 0-0 on the road after Wednesday’s 123-120 home loss to Indiana. The Pelicans led 66-56 at halftime but allowed the Pacers to score 37 points in the fourth quarter. There was enough offense to win. The problem was maintaining control when Indiana began putting together productive possessions late. Friday requires better defensive execution without losing the offensive aggression that gave New Orleans its lead.
The Pelicans outscored Indiana 35-18 in the second quarter and controlled the rebounding in that period. That stretch showed a useful route to winning: finish defensive possessions, create opportunities inside and make the opponent play from behind. The fourth quarter showed how quickly it can disappear. New Orleans cannot keep allowing an opponent to find comfortable attempts when the game tightens. Against Utah, making the Jazz work through a set defense would be preferable to trading quick scoring chances.
Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 23 points against Indiana, while Zion Williamson added 22. Their scoring gives the Pelicans a reasonable way to stay competitive without requiring a huge perimeter shooting night. Availability still needs a final check. I could not verify a complete Friday injury submission for New Orleans in the official report retrieved for this preview. Murray’s participation in the opener should not be treated as a guarantee of clearance for Friday, and the pick assumes the Pelicans retain their main offensive options.
Utah Has to Get More From Its Supporting Offense
Utah is 0-1 overall and 0-0 at home after losing 123-103 at Memphis on Wednesday. The Jazz allowed Memphis to score at least 29 points in each of the first three quarters and never established enough control to recover. Returning home helps with the setting, but it does not address the basketball problem. Utah needs more sustained offense and fewer defensive possessions that end with the opponent getting exactly what it wants.
The Jazz scored 103 despite an efficient night from their leading guard. That is a concern when laying points against a New Orleans team that just produced 120. Utah needs useful scoring beyond its first option, and it cannot allow another opponent to build a comfortable lead while waiting for those contributions. Defensively, protecting the paint without opening easy passes to the perimeter will matter. If New Orleans repeatedly gets inside, the Jazz could spend too much of the game reacting.
Keyonte George scored 22 points on seven-of-12 shooting, including four of six from three, and added five assists at Memphis. Lauri Markkanen finished with 18 points and nine rebounds but shot four of 13 overall and one of seven from outside. Better shooting from Markkanen would change Utah’s offensive outlook considerably. Jusuf Nurkic remains sidelined following the reported foot injury that delayed his season. Utah had not submitted its Friday game report in the NBA’s October 22, 6:45 p.m. ET release, so the rest of the rotation still requires confirmation.
Pelicans vs Jazz Opening-Game Comparison
Each team has played one regular-season game. These figures describe those openers against different opponents.
| Category | New Orleans Pelicans | Utah Jazz |
|---|---|---|
| Current record | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Relevant road/home record | 0-0 away | 0-0 home |
| Opening opponent | Indiana Pacers | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Points scored | 120 | 103 |
| Points allowed | 123 | 123 |
| Scoring margin | -3 | -20 |
| Combined game score | 243 | 226 |
Scoring Comparison Against the Total
| Scoring Measure | Combined Points |
|---|---|
| New Orleans’ opening game | 243 |
| Utah’s opening game | 226 |
| Simple average of those results | 234.5 |
| Betting total used | 241.5 |
| Our projected total | 235 |
The opening-game average is descriptive context, not a predictive model. Lineups, pace and shooting can change substantially between games.
Three Matchups Worth Watching
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| New Orleans’ interior attack against Utah’s coverage | The Pelicans need productive attempts without depending entirely on outside shooting. |
| Utah’s supporting scoring | The Jazz need more help after scoring 103 despite George’s efficient opener. |
| Fourth-quarter defensive execution | New Orleans must avoid the breakdowns that helped Indiana complete its comeback. |
New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +3.5
I’ll take New Orleans with the 3.5 points and lean toward a narrow road win. The Pelicans created enough offense to beat Indiana and lost because they could not finish defensively. That is a problem, but Utah’s opener offered concerns at both ends. New Orleans has a reasonable route through its interior scoring, and the points provide room for a close loss. Utah’s home floor and the possibility of improved Markkanen shooting are the strongest arguments against the pick. The Pelicans’ incomplete availability picture also matters. With their main offensive options available, I prefer New Orleans to keep this within a possession. My projection is Pelicans 119, Jazz 116.
Total Pick: Under 241.5
I’m taking the under. Both defenses allowed 123 points in their openers, but Utah scored only 103, and reaching this total requires sustained production from both sides. New Orleans can score efficiently without forcing the game into a constant exchange of quick attempts. I expect the Pelicans to place more emphasis on finishing defensive possessions after their fourth-quarter problems against Indiana. The risks are obvious: neither defense has established much credibility, Markkanen could shoot considerably better, and repeated fouls could supply points when the offenses stall. Our projection lands at 235, giving the under some room without requiring either team to become an excellent defense overnight.
Final Prediction
| Selection | Pick |
|---|---|
| Side | New Orleans Pelicans +3.5 |
| Total | Under 241.5 |
| Projected score | New Orleans 119, Utah 116 |
| Stronger preference | New Orleans +3.5 |
Final Picks: New Orleans Pelicans +3.5 and Under 241.5.
Completed October 22, 2026. Betting lines, injury designations, starting lineups and other game information may change. Opening-game statistics represent a one-game sample. A complete Friday availability picture could not be verified; Utah’s submission was pending in the NBA’s October 22, 6:45 p.m. ET report.