Three straight wins have turned the Smoothie King Center into a lively stage for New Orleans. The Pelicans beat Memphis by one point on Nov. 2, the latest chapter in a fast, high-scoring run. Now Utah arrives Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST with a different kind of mission: stop the slide, find its rhythm, and show why its young core has so much promise.

As of Monday’s games, New Orleans stood 3-4, while Utah was 1-6. Those records tell part of the story, but the recent direction is clearer. The Pelicans have scored at least 121 points in each of their past three games. Their 121.9 points per game this season show a team that can race down the floor, move the ball, and keep pressure on defenders.

Zion Williamson is the powerful engine of that attack. He is averaging 21.3 points while making 63.6 percent of his shots, an excellent mark that shows how often he finishes close to the rim. Zion can grab the ball and rumble forward in the open floor, then use his strength and soft touch around the basket. Utah must build a wall in the paint, the area near the hoop, without losing track of New Orleans shooters.

That is where Trey Murphy III enters the story. The 6-foot-8 forward hits 38.5 percent of his three-point shots, so defenders cannot simply crowd Zion inside. Murphy can wait beyond the arc, cut toward the hoop, or soar for a finish when a defender rushes at him. New Orleans also creates 12.9 steals per game, nearly twice Utah’s total. Those takeaways can become quick scores before the Jazz defense gets set.

Utah has a useful answer of its own: size on the boards. The Jazz collect 46.3 rebounds per game, more than New Orleans, and each rebound can end a Pelicans chance or begin a Jazz push forward. Keyonte George will be central to that push. He leads Utah with 19.6 points and adds 5.4 assists, showing he can score himself or set up a teammate. His matchup with New Orleans’ active guards could shape the game’s speed.

Lauri Markkanen gives George a tall target. At 7-foot-1, Markkanen can sprint into open shooting space, rise over smaller players, and attack the basket when defenders close in. Yet Utah faces a tough challenge inside. Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed out with a shoulder injury, removing a shot blocker who can protect the rim. Center Jusuf Nurkic is also listed out, though his expected return is Wednesday. Those absences could leave more work for Utah’s remaining big players against Zion.

New Orleans also has a key status to watch, with guard Dejounte Murray listed out for personal reasons and expected back Wednesday. If he plays, his passing and long reach would give the Pelicans another steady two-way presence.

Utah has enough rebounding and young shot-making to make this a fierce contest. But New Orleans is playing sharper basketball, has the stronger recent run, and owns more ways to score around Zion Williamson. Prediction: the Pelicans keep their streak going at home.

Zion Williamson and the Pelicans Bring a Winning Streak Home