The Pelicans triumphed against the Jazz 136-123 on Friday, and the undermanned Utah team will return to the Smoothie King Centre on Monday for a rematch.
My predictions for the Jazz versus Pelicans anticipate that Walker Kessler will capitalise on heightened opportunities and dominate the rebounding efforts this evening. Consult my NBA selections to see the rationale for wagering on the Over for Kessler’s rebound line.
Prediction for Jazz versus Pelicans
My optimal choice
Walker Kessler Exceeding 11.5 rebounds (-115 at bet365)
My assessment
Walker Kessler is averaging a career-high 11.3 rebounds per game this season, hence he must perform slightly above average in this instance to fulfil this proposition. I believe he will excel in rebounding tonight and surpass this threshold.
Kessler has demonstrated superior rebounding performance on the road, averaging 12.2 rebounds in venues other than Delta Centre, where he averages only 10.3 boards. He has exceeded this line in 10 of 17 away games, rendering this a favourable matchup in New Orleans.
The Utah Jazz centre faces an advantageous matchup against a New Orleans Pelicans club that has permitted the fourth-highest number of rebounds (46) to adversaries this season. This encompasses the seventh-highest number of defensive rebounds (34.1) and the fifth-highest number of offensive rebounds (11.9). Kessler currently leads the Association in offensive rebounds this season with an average of 4.3.
John Collins is unavailable tonight, and Kessler has excelled in his absence this season. In 21 games alongside Collins, Kessler has averaged 10.6 total rebounds and 3.9 offensive rebounds over 28.7 minutes. In 11 games absent Collins, Kessler has averaged 12.6 total rebounds and 5.1 offensive rebounds over 31.3 minutes.
Kessler experiences an optimal alignment of a premier opponent and heightened potential this evening, rendering this an uncomplicated Over choice.
