Jazz Seek Revenge Against Pelicans in Salt Lake City

The Utah Jazz return to action on Sunday night as they host the New Orleans Pelicans in the final stretch of a franchise-record nine-game homestand. This matchup is more than just another regular-season game—Utah is looking to avenge two frustrating losses to New Orleans from earlier in the season.

Both teams have experienced their share of struggles in the Western Conference standings, and with the postseason still a possibility, every win matters.

Jazz Finding Their Footing at Home

Utah has gone 3-4 so far in their extended homestand, but their latest victory on Friday night against Minnesota may have been the boost they needed. The 117-116 thriller saw both teams take turns building and blowing double-digit leads before Walker Kessler’s clutch dunk sealed the win for the Jazz with under 10 seconds remaining.

John Collins had one of his best performances of the season, leading the Jazz with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while also setting up Kessler’s game-winning shot

“I try to give Walk back as much as I can,” Collins said. “He does so much on the defensive end, cleans up a lot of messy, messy defense. And whenever the big fella is rewarded, I feel like, as a big man, he plays harder, works harder.”

Kessler made the most of his minutes, finishing with nine points, 13 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, while playing a turnover-free game.

The Jazz’s energy and execution were much improved against the Timberwolves, but they will need that same intensity against a Pelicans team that already took them down twice in January.

Pelicans Have Had the Jazz’s Number

New Orleans dominated Utah in back-to-back games in January, and those losses still linger in the minds of Jazz fans.

In the first meeting, Zion Williamson dropped 24 points and 14 rebounds to power the Pelicans to a 136-123 victory. Just a few nights later, Utah built a 25-point lead, only to watch it evaporate as CJ McCollum exploded for 45 points, leading New Orleans to a 123-119 overtime win—the largest comeback victory in franchise history.

At the time, McCollum knew the Pelicans were in for an up-and-down season.

“I don’t take these wins for granted because it took us like two months to get five wins,” he said in January. “You’ve got to ride the wave and just keep your perspective in check.”

That quote turned out to be prophetic, as the Pelicans went on to lose 10 straight games following that thrilling win over Utah. However, they recently turned things around, winning four of their last five before a stumble against Phoenix on Friday night.

Pelicans Dealing with Injuries

New Orleans entered Friday’s game against the Suns without Zion Williamson or CJ McCollum, which proved costly in their 125-108 loss. The Pelicans were unable to keep up offensively, but their bench players gained valuable experience, with Antonio Reeves scoring 11 points in 21 minutes.

Head coach Willie Green remains optimistic despite the setback.

“These are opportunities, and those guys, they’re in the gym, they’re with the coaching staff and they’re preparing each and every day,” Green said. “Our margin is small, but we expect them to step on the floor and execute at an extremely high level. There are some positives that we can take from this game, but there are some areas that we’ll look at and continue to improve.”

Williamson and McCollum’s availability for Sunday remains uncertain, but if both play, the Jazz will have to be ready for a much tougher battle.

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Key Matchups to Watch

This game will be decided by a few critical battles on the court.

John Collins vs. Pelicans Frontcourt

Collins is coming off one of his best performances of the season. Can he carry that momentum against a Pelicans team that dominated the paint in their last two meetings?

Walker Kessler vs. Zion Williamson (If Active)

Kessler’s defensive presence will be crucial in stopping Williamson’s aggressive inside game. If Zion is out, Kessler may have an easier night protecting the rim.

Jazz’s Perimeter Defense vs. CJ McCollum (If Active)

McCollum torched Utah for 45 points last time. If he plays, slowing him down will be the Jazz’s top priority.

What’s at Stake?

While both teams are on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference playoff picture, this game could have significant implications.

For Utah, a win would bring them one step closer to finishing their homestand on a strong note before they wrap up against Detroit on Monday. It would also give them a much-needed confidence boost after being outclassed by New Orleans earlier in the season.

For New Orleans, securing a road victory—especially if Williamson and McCollum are still out—would be a sign of resilience. The Pelicans are still trying to regain their early-season form and prove they belong in the playoff conversation.

On top of everything, both teams are currently tied for the third-most losses in the league. That means Sunday’s outcome could also impact their positioning in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.

Will the Jazz get their revenge and build momentum at home, or will the Pelicans once again prove to be their kryptonite? Sunday’s game in Salt Lake City will provide the answer.

Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions March 2nd 2025