The Utah Jazz hit the road on Friday to face the New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams will be missing key contributors heading into the contest.  Lauri Markkanen (b

The Lakers have glaring needs, including another big and secondary playmaker. Here's who they should go after before the Feb. 6 deadline.

Kessler (rest) is available for Monday's game against the Jazz, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports. Kessler received rest in Friday's loss to the Pelicans, but he'll be available for Monday's matchup.

The Jazz are getting plenty of trade calls concerning Walker Kessler but it sounds like Will Hardy wants to keep the 'consistent' big man.

As a potential record-breaking winter storm was bearing down on New Orleans, the Pelicans stormed back to beat the Jazz.

The loss to the Pelicans moved the Jazz into last place in the Western Conference and their 10-30 record is the third worst in the NBA, exactly where they want to be (if not second or very worst) when the season ends in order to go into the draft lottery with the best possible odds at the No. 1 overall pick.

New Orleans Pelicans ... is 2.5 percentage points lower than the Pelicans have given up to their opponents (48.3%). TOP PERFORMERS: CJ McCollum is averaging 21.6 points and 3.8 assists for the Pelicans. Walker Kessler is averaging 10.8 points, 11.3 ...

The New Orleans Pelicans host the Utah Jazz on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center. Friday's matchup pits the two worst teams in the Western Conference aga

However, New Orleans found a rhythm early, led by CJ McCollum, who knocked down five 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. Utah has been vulnerable defensively on the perimeter this season, allowing opponents to take 40.7 percent of their overall shot attempts from deep, tied for the third-highest frequency in the league.

Walker Kessler doesn't have much help around him in New Orleans tonight, so look for the Utah Jazz big to grab a good chunk of the available rebounds tonight, per our NBA betting picks.

(AP Photo/Peter Forest) New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, front left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest ...

CJ McCollum scored six of his 45 points in overtime and the host New Orleans Pelicans set a franchise record by overcoming a 25-point deficit in defeating the Utah Jazz 123-119 Monday night.