The Utah Jazz pulled out all the stops to get closer to their ultimate goal of a high lottery pick during Friday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans-- and it turned out working in their favor.

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

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Everyone thought Zion Williamson looked like Khalil Mack after the New Orleans Pelicans showed him off in a goatee.

New Orleans 21-49 (Alvarado 6-11, McCollum 6-12, Hawkins 3-9, Theis 2-2, Murphy III 2-6, Murray 2-6, Green 1-1, Robinson-Earl 0-1, Cain 0-2). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Utah 40 (Collier, Eubanks 7), New Orleans 56 (Williamson 14).

The Pelicans' social media account posted a photo of Zion Williamson during practice, which sparked an unexpected wave of fan reactions.

Zion Williamson highlighted a 24-point, 14-rebound performance with an array of thunderous dunks during a dominant fourth-quarter stint, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 136-123 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

Trey Murphy III has had a breakout season as he has emerged as a key piece of the future for the New Orleans Pelicans.

It’s been a difficult first half of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz, but they’ll square off Friday night in a matchup of two teams

For the first time in what has been a rough season, the New Orleans Pelicans have reeled off three consecutive victories.

New Orleans is 4-20 in games decided by at least 10 points. The Jazz are 3-23 in conference play. Utah has a 5-16 record in games decided by 10 or more points.