The New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz hook up for the second time in three nights on Monday in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz rallied to stun the Pelicans on Saturday night, 105-100, to win as 3.5-point home underdogs.
New Orleans led by 10 points at the half, but the Jazz outscored the Pelicans, 37-23, in the fourth quarter to pick up just their fourth NBA victory of the season.
Jazz vs. Pelicans prediction
(9 p.m. ET.)
Utah was missing two of its top players, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson.
Guard Collin Sexton stepped up and scored 16 points off the bench to boost the Jazz, who have now won four consecutive meetings with New Orleans dating back to last season.
The Pelicans had won five of their previous six games prior to that defeat and also were riding a 6-0 hot streak against the spread.
New Orleans should get star forward Zion Williamson back in the lineup Monday night after he sat out the second leg of that back-to-back Saturday.
Williamson scored 32 points in Friday’s 116-106 victory over the Clippers.
Utah has covered the spread in six of the last seven home games, including each of the past three as an underdog.
Interestingly, Saturday marked the first time the Pelicans were listed as road favorites this season.
They will be in the same role again on Monday, this time with their best player on the floor.
New Orleans is 1-3 this season with Williamson not in the lineup. The Pels average two fewer points without Williamson and three points on their field goal percentage.
Betting on the NBA?
While Williamson’s return Monday is expected, Markkanen’s and Clarkson’s are less certain.
Clarkson returned to practice Sunday, so things are pointing up for him. Markkanen is battling a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable.
Let’s back the Pelicans, this time with their best player on the floor, to rebound Monday and silence the Jazz.
Pick: Pelicans -4.5 (-114, FanDuel)
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7kGpma29fqL2wvtOsZqmdnJ6worrSZq2sZZqWx7t5z6ucnaGTqbawuoynmZpln5mxtHnPopqkq12XsrTAjJucratf