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The Utah Jazz are openly trying to lose as many games as possible, while the New Orleans Pelicans are trying to finish the season on a high note.
New Orleans is trending in the right direction, with wins in four of its last six games, and my Pelicans vs. Jazz predictions call for the visiting team to cover the spread as road favorites.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference matchup on Thursday, February 26.
Pelicans vs Jazz prediction
Pelicans vs Jazz best bet: Pelicans -4.5 (-115)
The Utah Jazz’s open tanking has gotten so brazen that the NBA is reportedly sending its own doctors to verify the results of Lauri Markkanen’s recent MRI.
Utah has already shut down Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic, and the missed-game counter for Markkanen and Keyonte George continues to climb.
Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans traded their first-round pick to the Hawks for Derik Queen and have no incentive to tank. Dejounte Murray is back, and DeAndre Jordan still has some gas left in the tank. I’ll take the more motivated and healthier visitors to cover the spread.
Pelicans vs Jazz same-game parlay
The Jazz sport the NBA's worst defensive rating, and the Pelicans aren't much better with the fourth-worst mark. The Jazz have hit the Over in three straight, and the Pels have done so in three of four. Don't expect much defense in this one.
Murray made his season debut on Tuesday and posted a 13/2/3 line in just 25 minutes against the Warriors. His availability for a second straight game is encouraging for his health, and he could see additional playing time. Murray is in a favorable spot against a generous Jazz defense.
Pelicans vs Jazz SGP
- Pelicans -4.5
- Over 242.5
- Dejounte Murray Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Queen, the King
Queen is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game this season, and he's grabbed 7+ in 36 of 58 appearances. He's reached that mark in three straight, despite the return of Jordan and Murray.
Pelicans vs Jazz SGP
- Pelicans -4.5
- Over 242.5
- Dejounte Murray Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
- Derik Queen Over 6.5 rebounds
Pelicans vs Jazz odds
- Spread: Pelicans -4.5 (-115) | Jazz +4.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Pelicans -190 | Jazz +160
- Over/Under: Over 242.5 (-110) | Under 242.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Utah Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 28 of their last 40 games at home (+14.80 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Jazz.
How to watch Pelicans vs Jazz
| Location | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date | Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Pelicans+, KJZZ 14 |
Pelicans vs Jazz latest injuries
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