Though the NBA season may be beginning to wind down, for the New Orleans Pelicans, years end cannot come soon enough. Currently, NOLA holds the fifth seed in the Western Conference’s playoff picture. If the season were to end today, the birds would be seeing a first round series against the feisty Oklahoma City Thunder.
Obviously the NBA season does not end today, meaning this matchup is not yet a certainty. Frankly, in the Western Conference, unless you’re the Houston Rockets or Golden State Warriors, nothing should be considered a definite. In such a tightly contested playoff race, no one can be ruled in or out of the postseason until the final buzzer sounds on April 11th.
And yes, despite what some delusional fans may think, this too is a reality for the New Orleans Pelicans. Though they are coming off of an eight game stretch where they went 6-2, the Pelicans have not yet clinched a playoff berth. In fact, it is quite possible that NOLA could fall out of the playoff picture entirely if their final eight games don’t go as well as they hope.
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Interestingly enough, just as easily as they can fall out of the postseason picture, they can also lock up home-court advantage. This, however, is all contingent on how the teams final stretch goes.
During their eight games, the Pelicans will play against three realistic first round opponents; the Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Currently, New Orleans is a half game behind the Thunder and 2.5 behind Portland. During the teams next three games, the Pelicans will tip-off against both of these opponents. If they can find a way to garner victories against them, big things could be in store for NOLA.
The Pelicans already won the season matchup against Oklahoma City, claiming both games they’ve played against each other. So, no matter how this final game turns out, the Pels will still hold the “tie-breaker.” The most important season series they must win is against the Trailblazers. With both teams split at one win a piece, their matchup this Tuesday could determine how the playoff picture will turn out.
If both franchises somehow end the season with the same record, the team that wins the season series will hold the higher seed. And, whoever holds the higher seed could be looking at home-court advantage in the first round. If the Pelicans achieve such a feat, it will be the first time since 2008 that they have held this advantage in the postseason.
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The fact that the Pelicans are in this type of position is truly impressive. Just under two months ago, NOLA’s All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins went down for the season with a torn achilles tendon. With this, fans and media alike (including myself) envisioned the year ending in early April and another Anthony Davis-less postseason. To the surprise of many (again including myself) the Pelicans rallied and, at one point, held both the leagues second longest winning streak (11 games) as well as the third seed in the Western Conference.
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Now, behind the otherworldly play of AD, the franchise is looking at its first postseason appearance in three years and, potentially, their first home-court advantage in 10. In a season once considered lost, the Pelicans have certainly exceeded all expectations. For that, players, fans and media alike should all take notice. No matter how things turn out for the franchise this year, 2017-18 has been one impressive and exciting ride!