Pelica Debrief
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3 Takeaways From Released New Orleans Pelicans Schedule Dates

By Christopher Dodson

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 12: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic (15) react after Evan Turner (1) of the Portland Trail Blazers hit two of two free throws to give his team a four-point lead with just over eight seconds to play during the fourth quarter of the Trail Blazers’ series-clinching 100-96 win on Sunday, May 12, 2019. The Denver Nuggets versus the Portland Trail Blazers in game seven of the teams’ second-round NBA playoff series at the Pepsi Center in Denver. (Photo by Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MAY 12: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic (15) react after Evan Turner (1) of the Portland Trail Blazers hit two of two free throws to give his team a four-point lead with just over eight seconds to play during the fourth quarter of the Trail Blazers’ series-clinching 100-96 win on Sunday, May 12, 2019. The Denver Nuggets versus the Portland Trail Blazers in game seven of the teams’ second-round NBA playoff series at the Pepsi Center in Denver. (Photo by Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans travel Christmas Day to play the Denver Nuggets. Who says small market teams cannot also be featured attractions.

The NBA has taken over Christmas Day much the same way the NFL seized on Thanksgiving Day. Both leagues use those holidays to host marquee games. Anthony Davis fled the New Orleans Pelicans yet the team is getting more national game coverage than ever before.

The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to face a fellow small-market contender, the Denver Nuggets. In what could be a playoff series preview, this game will be the scrappy undercard fight on Christmas Day.

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Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the Denver Nuggets to the second-best record in the Western Conference last season. They have brought in reinforcement to solidify their position as an NBA Finals favorite. The New Orleans Pelicans just hope to make the playoffs, seeding matters little. Should Denver slip a bit while New Orleans exceeds expectations, a playoff series with these two teams would be even more likely.

Featured games on showcase dates carry a certain responsibility. The NBA wants to feature Zion Williamson on as many national games as possible. Picking the New Orleans Pelicans to play the Nuggets is reasonable. One of the most marketable stars gets to play against one of the best teams in the league.

Derrick Favors will have a stage for his All-Star campaign against Jokic. Jrue Holiday will get to show his MVP-level quality against a difficult backcourt. Zion versus Paul Millsaps will be a heavyweight battle. Brandon Ingram will have to show he can beat Jerami Grant off the dribble.

The New Orleans Pelicans will soon release the complete regular-season schedule. It appears the Pelicans versus Nuggets game will be the second game on Christmas Day.

Next. Top 5 Regular Season Series New Orleans Pelicans Must Win To Make Playoff Run. dark

One bold prediction: Ja Morant and Zion Williamson face off on the last big event date of the regular season, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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