New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz

O/U: 215

Spread: UTA -13
 

Injuries

NO

Zion Williamson - OUT

Didi Louzada - OUT

UTA

Royce O'Neale - OUT

MVP/CPT

Donovan Mitchell, UTA

It was a dreadful night shooting the basketball for Mitchell on Friday going 6-for-21 from the floor against this same New Orleans team. He put out a statement acknowledging how badly he played and how he has to be better, so expect an entirely different Mitchell on Saturday night as they run it back with the Pelicans. They’re 12.5 point favorites at home for a reason here.

Rudy Gobert, UTA

We’re seeing an entirely different version of Rudy Gobert this season, one actively looking to score the basketball unlike he has in years past. Before Friday’s game, he had 15+ points in three straight including two 20 point efforts. We know the blocks and rebounds are going to be there almost always, but when the points follow suit, that’s when the upside comes into play. Although he only scored nine points against them on Friday, New Orleans ranks 25th in DRtg and ARE a team you can exploit defensively.

Brandon Ingram, NO

Over the last two games, Ingram has found his groove shooting the basketball, a groove he hadn’t found up to this point. He’s poured in 21+ points and 38+ DKP in each of them. He’s someone who can contribute across the board and something he has working for him tonight is the fact that Utah is without it’s best perimeter defender in Royce O’Neale. It’s likely they try sticking Joe Ingles on him, but Ingles is too slow footed to stay in front of Ingram all night.

UTIL

Josh Hart, NO

The problem with playing Josh Hart is that he’s not a very high usage player, so when his shot isn’t falling it hurts his upside. The last five times he’s scored in double-figures, he's also put up at least 35 DKP. The last two times he didn’t, 19.5 and 12.5 DKP. Scary proposition for sure, but he’s definitely a solid option on a showdown slate with limited options and where you’re looking for that upside.

Bojan Bogdanovic, UTA

If you’ve followed Bogdanovic throughout his career the one thing you know about him is he can score in BUNCHES when he gets going. He’s in one of those scoring grooves right now as he’s poured in at least 19 actual points in three straight, twice topping 20 over that span. He draws the same lackluster Pelicans defense that he scored 23 against on Friday in tonight’s game. With Royce O’Neale off the floor this year, Bogdanovic has a 4.7% USG bump, which is the biggest increase on the team.

Willy Hernangomez, NO

The Pelicans have turned to Hernangomez more and more lately and he’s paid off handsomely. In three straight games, he’s put up 30+ DKP. He’s a FP/min MONSTER as he hasn’t topped 22 minutes in any of those games either. He’s scored 13+ actual points, grabbed at least seven rebounds and has contributed in multiple facets. Solid mid-tier option tonight.

Value Options

Joe Ingles, UTA

With Royce O’Neale ruled out, we likely see Ingles step into the starting lineup in his place. It’s been an up and down season for Ingles, but in three of his last five games he’s given us 20 FP or more despite never topping 24 minutes in any of them. We could very well see him approach 30 minutes with O’Neale out and that could be great news as he takes on the 25th ranked defense in the league.

Herbert Jones, NO

Jones has slid into the Pelicans starting lineup and has been a nice spark for them. He’s topped 30 minutes in three straight games and has put up at least 18 DKP in each which is more than enough at his salary. At this price, it’s hard to find many players playing as many minutes as he is.

Rudy Gay, UTA

In the five games since returning from injury, Gay has slotted in around 16-18 minutes, but will we see a slight boost there with Royce O’Neale out? It’s possible he hits 20. In two of the five games he’s given us 20 FP and in each of them he’s scored 15+ actual points, which is what he can provide for Utah’s second unit. I think Gay will be a popular play with O’Neale out, even if he’s not starting.