Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz — Game-Specific Matchup (April 7, 2026)

Last updated: T-2h (~6:30 PM ET, April 7, 2026)

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⚠️ INJURY UPDATES — MAJOR CHANGES SINCE EARLY RUN

The Pelicans' injury situation has worsened materially since the early research run (~10h ago). Two key players have been upgraded from Questionable → OUT, and two new additions to the injury report have appeared:

Player	Early Entry Status	Updated Status (T-2h)	Injury	Source
Trey Murphy III	OUT	OUT (confirmed, no change)	Right ankle sprain	CBS Sports, Apr 7
Dejounte Murray	QUESTIONABLE	⬇️ OUT — downgraded	Left hand contusion; expected out until at least Apr 10	CBS Sports, Apr 7
Karlo Matkovic	QUESTIONABLE	⬇️ OUT — downgraded	Low back spasms; expected out until at least Apr 10	CBS Sports, Apr 7
Yves Missi	NOT LISTED	🆕 QUESTIONABLE — new addition	Right hand sprain (late addition to report)	ESPN, Apr 7; FOX Sports, Apr 7
Jordan Hawkins	NOT LISTED	🆕 GAME TIME DECISION — new addition	Illness	CBS Sports, Apr 7
Bryce McGowens	OUT	OUT (confirmed, no change)	Right small toe fracture	CBS Sports, Apr 7

Key notes:

• Murray OUT is the single biggest change from the early entry. He was the last legitimate playmaking threat alongside Zion Williamson. NOP now loses both its primary creator AND its best perimeter shooter (Murphy) simultaneously.
• Missi's late addition to the injury report (right hand sprain) is a significant concern. As ESPN and FOX Sports note, "late additions to the injury report are usually not a great sign." If Missi is out, NOP loses its starting center and primary interior rebounder, dramatically weakening its frontcourt even against Utah's depleted roster.
• Jordan Hawkins (illness) as a game-time decision further thins NOP's rotation depth.
• Expected NOP starters (if Missi and Hawkins play): Jeremiah Fears, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Yves Missi. Bey is averaging 20.5 PPG over the last 34 games and has been shouldering extra load with Murray and Murphy out. Fears is averaging 13.4 PPG with 13 assists over his last two games. (Covers, Apr 7; FanDuel Research, Apr 7)

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📊 BETTING LINES — T-12h vs. T-2h COMPARISON

T-12h Lines (Early Research Run, ~8–9 AM ET):

• Spread: Pelicans -11.5 (-110) | Jazz +11.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pelicans -520 to -583 | Jazz +400 to +420
• Total: O/U 242–242.5

T-2h Lines (~4–6:30 PM ET, April 7):

• Spread (Covers, updated 4:41 PM ET): Pelicans -10.5 | Jazz +10.5 (Covers, Apr 7)
• Spread (SportsGrid/Kalshi, updated 6:23 PM ET): Pelicans -9.5 | Jazz +9.5 — most recent market reading (SportsGrid, Apr 7)
• Spread (OddsShark computer pick reference): -10.5 (OddsShark, Apr 7)
• Spread (FanDuel Sportsbook): Still showing -11.5 — may be stale/slower to update (FanDuel Research, Apr 7)
• Moneyline (Covers): Pelicans -550 | Jazz +400
• Moneyline (FanDuel): Pelicans -500 | Jazz +385
• Total: 242.5 (consistent across Covers, FanDuel, SportsGrid)

Line Movement Summary:

The spread has moved 1–2 full points toward Utah since the early entry — from -11.5 to somewhere between -9.5 and -10.5 depending on the book. The most current reading (SportsGrid/Kalshi, 6:23 PM ET) shows -9.5, representing a 2-full-point move toward the Jazz. The moneyline has simultaneously shifted slightly toward NOP (-550 vs. earlier -520 to -583 range), suggesting some books are responding to injury news asymmetrically. The line movement is almost certainly driven by Murray being confirmed OUT and Missi's late addition as questionable — sharp money has come in on Utah +11.5 to +10.5. The SportsGrid Kalshi -9.5 reading may indicate the market has moved even further on prediction markets vs. traditional sportsbooks.

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Head-to-Head History (This Season — No Change)

NOP has won both 2025–26 season meetings against Utah:

• Feb 26, 2026: NOP 129, UTA 118 (New Orleans) — NOP covered -6.5
• Feb 28, 2026: NOP 115, UTA 105 (Salt Lake City) — NOP covered -5.5

NOP has won 7 consecutive H2H games vs. Utah and is 7-3 in L10 meetings. (OddsShark, Apr 7)

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Matchup Advantages & Vulnerabilities (Updated)

NOP Advantages:

• Utah remains historically decimated: Lauri Markkanen (Out–Hip), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Out–Knee), Walker Kessler (Out–Shoulder), Keyonte George (Out–Hamstring), Isaiah Collier (Out–Hamstring), Elijah Harkless (Out–Hamstring). Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey statuses TBD for Jazz side.
• Zion Williamson (21 PPG, 60% FG on season) and Saddiq Bey (20.5 PPG last 34 games) remain available and are key production anchors.
• Jeremiah Fears has been dynamic of late with 13 assists over his last two games.

NOP Vulnerabilities — Significantly Worsened:

• Murray confirmed OUT removes NOP's primary playmaker and half-court creator alongside Zion. This is a material downgrade from Questionable.
• Murphy still OUT eliminates primary 3PT spacing (3.2 made 3s/gm).
• Missi questionable (late addition) creates interior uncertainty. If Missi sits, NOP's frontcourt is razor-thin against even Utah's skeleton crew. His 18-point (8-9 FG), 13-rebound performance last game shows the stakes.
• Hawkins illness adds further depth uncertainty.
• NOP on 8-game losing streak, 2-8 L10 — no momentum, late-season malaise.
• NOP has gone UNDER in 3 of their last 3 games.

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Rest & Context (No Change from Early Entry)

• NOP at home (Smoothie King Center), normal rest, no travel.
• This is NOP's final home game of the 2025–26 season.
• NOP eliminated from playoff/play-in contention; no 2026 first-round pick (traded to Atlanta), so no tanking incentive.
• Covers (Apr 7) frames this as a matchup of "two teams that don't care about playing defense" with both eliminated.

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Market Inefficiency Flags (Updated)

• Murray confirmed OUT + Missi questionable are the core late-breaking developments that have already moved the line 1–2 points. If Missi is ultimately ruled out at game time, books may not have fully adjusted — the -9.5 to -10.5 range already reflects some of this, but an actual Missi scratch could push value further toward Utah.
• Line discrepancy: FanDuel showing -11.5 while Kalshi/prediction markets at -9.5 and traditional books at -10.5 creates a shop opportunity. The 2-point gap between FanDuel and Kalshi is unusually wide.
• The spread opened at -11.5 and has now moved to -9.5/-10.5 — Utah is getting sharp action at the number as the injury picture has clarified unfavorably for NOP.
• Total remains 242.5 despite injury downgrades — with two fewer offensive weapons for NOP, a lean toward the UNDER may be warranted (NOP already UNDER in last 3 straight).

Utah Jazz @ New Orleans Pelicans — April 7, 2026 (Game-Specific, Updated ~2 Hours Before Tip)

⚠️ KEY LATE STATUS CHANGES (Updated Since Early Run)

Ace Bailey DOWNGRADED to DOUBTFUL (knee): Bailey has moved from questionable to doubtful per ESPN (~6 hours ago), making him unlikely to play. ESPN's spin: "Bailey is now unlikely to play Tuesday after initially being listed as questionable." His absence would leave Utah without its top scorer (20.2 PPG, 5.0 REB, 2.6 AST, 1.5 BLK over last 11 games) and primary offensive option. Note: CBS Sports, FanDuel Research, and The Athletic still list him as questionable (earlier reports), but ESPN/RotowireNBA's most recent update is DOUBTFUL — treat as the operative status heading into tip. Cross-reference at tip-off. (ESPN, Apr 7)

Kyle Filipowski UPGRADED to PROBABLE (back): Filipowski has moved from questionable to probable per ESPN (~6 hours ago), and is expected to play. ESPN spin: "With the Jazz thin up front, Filipowski may play a featured role." He logged 22 pts/14 reb vs OKC on Apr 5 and is averaging 22.2 pts/10.0 reb/4.0 ast in his last six games. His availability is significant — he's Utah's only functional big man with all centers out. Note: CBS Sports (updated Mon Apr 6) and FuboTV still list him as questionable, but ESPN is the most recent update. (ESPN, Apr 7)

Full Jazz Injury Report (as of ~6 hours pre-tip)

Player	Injury	Status
Ace Bailey	Knee	DOUBTFUL (downgraded from questionable)
Kyle Filipowski	Back	PROBABLE (upgraded from questionable)
Keyonte George	Hamstring	OUT (out until at least Apr 10)
Isaiah Collier	Hamstring	OUT (out until at least Apr 10)
EJ Harkless	Hamstring	OUT (out until at least Apr 10)
Lauri Markkanen	Hip	OUT (out for season/re-evaluated ~Apr 10)