NBA Western Conference Playoffs: Pelicans move up, others move down
By Joshua Lea
The New Orleans Pelicans are grinding out tough wins and moving up in the Western Conference playoff race. They’re now sixth in the standings with the playoffs on the line.
The Pelicans are showing the grit and grind that makes them such a fun team to cheer for. Following the overtime victory against Milwaukee on the road 123-121. NOLA was the benefit of a Denver Nuggets loss giving them the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Pels are just two games behind the third-place San Antonio Spurs, who defeated Cleveland 110-94 on Sunday in Cleveland. NOLA remains a half game behind Portland for the fifth seed and a full game behind Minnesota for the fourth seed. Tonight the Pelicans have a chance to put some distance between them and the eighth seed Denver Nuggets.
The 33-26 Pelicans are riding the coat tails of Anthony Davis who was stellar once again yesterday against the Bucks. Davis finished the game with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Jrue Holiday was also exceptional, scoring 36 points including 28 in the second half. NOLA has won their sixth consecutive overtime game this season.
Still, the national narrative is the Pelicans aren’t a legitimate threat, and Davis isn’t an MVP caliber player. The league isn’t noticing the damage Davis is doing in light of the injury to DeMarcus Cousins. However, if NOLA continues to grind out wins, they’ll solidify themselves in the Western Conference Playoff race. This could be the beginning of something special for the Pelicans.
Furthermore, if you believe in a good luck charm you have to hope the Pelicans will give Emeka Okafor a contract. Since Okafor signed his first 10-day contract, the Pels are 5-0. With his second 10-day contract expiring yesterday, NOLA fans will be waiting to see if Okafor is going to signed and available for tonight’s game against the Suns.
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Tonight’s NBA action that directly effects the standings features the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Orlando Magic. The Thunder are in the seventh seed following their 112-80 loss at Golden State on Saturday night. Assuming they defeat the Magic, they’ll likely remain in the seventh seed so long as the Pelicans do not lose tonight against the Suns.
Also, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in action tonight against the Sacramento Kings. Minnesota is still adjusting to the loss of Jimmy Butler who’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks following a right meniscus tear. The Timberwolves have 26 losses on the year. If the Wolves lose and the Pelicans win, NOLA could move up to the fifth seed by the night’s end.
Next: Pelicans beat the Bucks in OT
Expect to see a ton of analysis and breakdowns of the NBA’s wild playoff race. In the West, you literally have eight teams fighting for their playoff lives. While Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers remain on the outside, a single loss could move them up and move NOLA down.