The New Orleans Pelicans are a mere five games from finishing the regular season and the beginning of the NBA playoffs. The road will only get tougher from here.
The New Orleans Pelicans fans may have experienced a wake-up call following Sunday’s loss to the OKC Thunder. That call was that of reality, and reality can be cruel. The reality of the Pelicans situation this season is that they are in eighth place with five games left. Also, the Denver Nuggets are one full game behind the Pelicans.
Another reality is if the playoffs started today, the Pelicans would be facing the Houston Rockets. A team that looks to be on pace to challenge for or win the Western Conference. I’m am by no means saying the New Orleans Pelicans are getting swept by the Rockets. However, the odds of them winning a seven-game series isn’t in their favor.
This season, the Pelicans climbed as high as the fourth seed at the beginning of March. They failed to contain and keep that momentum going throughout the month as they faced some tough games. Key losses to Portland, Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio, and OKC are the reason the Pelicans are close to the edge.
Looking at the season realistically, would you say this season is lost? The injury to DeMarcus Cousins is becoming a factor in these games. One could even argue that if the Pelicans had Cousins, the Pelicans could have won a handful of these games.
The reality of the New Orleans Pelicans this season
The fact of the matter is this season the Pelicans showed promise and growth. Not just statistically, Anthony Davis embraced his role as the leader on this team before the All-Star break. He then went on a massive tear throughout the league. He elevated his game to a point of MVP contention.
Furthermore, Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo are also a solid backcourt duo. Rondo, being somewhat outcasted by the NBA, has found a new home and a new life on this team. Holiday is growing from a role player to a star in New Orleans. The Pelicans have plenty to be excited about heading into the offseason.
While this season continues to be told, the New Orleans Pelicans still have one thing on their minds. The NBA playoffs. The Pelicans are tied in the loss column with Minnesota for seventh place. A seventh-place finish would mean a clash with the Golden State Warriors is in the direct future for New Orleans. The Pelicans were swept by the Warriors in the 2016 playoffs and would like a chance for redemption.
The New Orleans Pelicans still have a chance to leapfrog their way to the fifth seed. The dominos have to fall just right in order for that to happen. Let’s take a look at the remaining schedule.
8. New Orleans Pelicans remaining games.
- Home versus Memphis on Wednesday
- Phoenix on Friday
- Golden State on Saturday
- Los Angeles (Clippers) next Monday
- Home versus San Antonio next Wednesday
7. Minnesota Timberwolves remaining games.
- Denver on Thursday
- Los Angeles (Lakers) on Friday
- Home versus Memphis next Monday
- Home versus Denver next Wednesday
6. Utah Jazz remaining games.
- Home versus the Lakers tonight
- Los Angeles (Clippers) on Thursday
- Los Angeles (Lakers) on Sunday
- Home versus Golden State next Tuesday
- Portland next Wednesday
5. Oklahoma City Thunder remaining games.
- Home versus Golden State tonight
- Houston on Saturday
- Miami next Monday
- Home versus Memphis next Wednesday
4. San Antonio Spurs remaining games.
- Los Angeles (Clippers) tonight
- Los Angeles (Lakers) Wednesday
- Home versus Portland on Saturday
- Home versus Sacramento next Monday
- New Orleans next Wednesday
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The strength of schedule with these five teams over the next eight days clear favors Minnesota. They play Denver twice, the Lakers, and Memphis. Minnesota should win all four of those games. Should being the key word in Minnesota’s situation.
OKC also has a somewhat easy schedule. Houston has already begun resting players and Miami and Memphis aren’t high levels of competition. The key for Oklahoma City will be their motivation to win these games.
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Utah’s schedule is tough, however, Portland and Golden State may begin resting players. So, these games could all be wins for Utah. The only game they’ll be concerned with is the game against the Los Angeles Clippers who are also fighting for a playoff spot.
San Antonio is in Los Angeles to face the Clippers tonight. That is a must-win for the Clippers. Portland may again rest players as they’ve already clinched a playoff spot. Along San Antonio’s last game against the New Orleans Pelicans could be a make or break for both teams.
Once again, the Pelicans get the raw deal with their schedule. Sure, Golden State will be resting players. However, they have two must-wins against the Clippers and Spurs.
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The New Orleans Pelicans are going to have to win all five remaining games to ensure a trip to the playoffs. Furthermore, they could move up in the standings if Utah, San Antonio, and OKC lose a couple of these next few games.