There are bright spots for the Jazz, even if the results aren't showing them. Keyonte George dropped 31 in an overtime loss to the Spurs, rookie Darryn Peterson put up 18 in that same game and led the team in the Blazers loss, and Ace Bailey has averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, with the front office already picking up his option for 2027-28. Utah has the young guards to score. What it doesn't have is anyone to finish possessions at the rim on either end.
The skid has gotten uglier as it has gone on. Utah dropped close ones to the Lakers, Grizzlies and Spurs at home, then lost by 22 to both Portland and San Antonio. The last 2 losses came at 90 and 97 points, so the offense is the bigger worry right now, and Markkanen finding his shot is the quickest fix available.
New Orleans' 3-game win streak has come with a lot of points. The Pelicans scored 132 against Sacramento, 121 against Atlanta and 135 in Memphis, and the 41-point 3rd quarter that broke the Grizzlies came from a group running without its 2 most experienced ball-handlers. The big unknown for Wednesday is whether Murray (personal) and Poole (ankle) are back. Either one returning takes pressure off Fears. If both stay out, the Pelicans keep playing through Zion and the bigs, and Utah's injuries make that a matchup New Orleans should want.
Tipoff is 7:00 PM CT at the Smoothie King Center. For Utah, a road game against a team that just won an overtime game in Memphis is a tough place to stop a skid, especially without its 2 best bigs. For New Orleans, beating a 1-6 team at home is the kind of game that turns a hot week into a .500 record.
