We can’t believe we’re saying this but the NBA is finally back, as the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz kick the season restart in Disneyland on July 31 (630 AM Manila Time.)

HOME TEAM: New Orleans Pelicans (28-36, 13-19 at home)

The possibility that the Pelicans will play with prized rookie Zion Williamson at least in the first game of the restart is looking better. The former Duke Blue Devils star left Disney World for an urgent family matter, but has returned and his involvement in the opener will be a game-time decision.

Even without Williamson, the Pelicans should have enough firepower on offense to rock the Jazz. Brandon Ingram, for one, is now a legitimate All-Star and he’s playing like it whenever he’s up against Utah this season. He’s averaged 39.0 points on 52.0 percent shooting from the field in the past three games against the Jazz.

Although the Pelicans have lost two of three meetings with Utah this season, none of those games featured Williamson, who missed the first three months of the season because of a torn meniscus.

Moreover, the Pelicans covered the spread in the last two games against Utah. The Pelicans have an exciting offense that’s ranked fourth in the league with an average of 116.2 points per game. 

ROAD TEAM: Utah Jazz (41-23, 20-13 on the road)

Donovan Mitchell is looking forward to dominating the defense of New Orleans Pelicans. Mitchell has put up 34.0 points in three games against the Pels this season.

In the last Utah-New Orleans game back in January, Mitchell exploded for 46 points and Bogdanovic wasn’t too shabby either with 26 points, albeit in a 138-132 overtime loss on the road. Bogdanovic is out with a wrist injury, however, so expect the likes of Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley to pick up the slack on offense.

Utah can expect lots of scoring chances against the Pelicans, considering New Orleans’ Swiss cheese defense.

While the Jazz are ninth in the league with 107.9 points allowed per game, the Pelicans are giving up 117.0 — 27th overall. The Jazz have covered the spread in four of their last six road games.

PREDICTIONS:

The Jazz should take care of business in Disneyland on July 31. Taking them at 2.14 would be a good bet, especially considering that Williamson may not be fully game-ready by the time the opener starts.