The New Orleans Pelicans full regular season schedule has been released. Dissecting the schedule shows some months are expected to be much tougher than others.
The opponents for the season opener and Christmas Day contest have been known for a couple of weeks. On Monday afternoon, the New Orleans Pelicans full regular season schedule has been released by the NBA league office.
The New Orleans Pelicans carry realistic playoff expectations into the 2019-20 NBA season. The roster has been restocked with shooting talent. After Zion Williamson was guaranteed to be balling in the Big Easy, there was a run on season tickets. The Smoothie King Center will be packed.
The New Orleans Pelicans will play 17 of their 41 home games on a weekend night. Thirty games will be on national television including the team’s first ABC’s games in a decade.
The home opener will be Friday, October 25 against the Dallas Mavericks. The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Denver on Christmas Day to play the last game of the evening. Martin Luther King Jr Day the Pelicans will travel to Memphis. This is the most fitting matchup for MLK Day, regardless of the recent draft results.
October is a tough month for the team just based on the need to build on-court chemistry. Summer workouts are fine but regular-season fire from opponents is a different battle. How will Jrue Holiday apply his permission to dominate? The same question applies to Derrick Favors in his new unchallenged role as a franchise centerpiece.
The team opens the season as the team forced to watch the prior season’s champs ring ceremony. Going to face the Toronto Raptors will actually benefit the Pelicans, as they get the trip across the border behind them. Even Kawhi Leonard complained about customs. The game will get the national treatment of course, with TNT getting the honors.
The New Orleans Pelicans will debut Zion Williamson to his home crowd against the rival Dallas Mavericks. On October 25 ESPN will come to town for a New Orleans Friday Night Special. Dallas also has a young core with playoff aspirations.
This first home game will serve as Zion’s introduction to the two foreign sensations, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. They were as hyped In Europe as Williamson’s was in the United States. The rivalry between New Orleans and Dallas will only increase as the Saints and Pelicans battle the Cowboys and Mavericks for playoff spots.
The same goes for the rivals a few hours west on Interstate 10. The New Orleans Pelicans travel down the road a few hours to play their first back-to-back set, playing October 26 at Houston Rockets.
Surprisingly, this game in Houston is the first game not on national television. Russell Westbrook and James Harden are two of the most dynamic players in the world. Jrue Holiday will need to shut down one of them to start his MVP campaign. Zion could show that his size will overwhelm their slight and slippery games, but most of the country will have to wait for the highlight shows to see it.
The team then comes back home for an October 28 date with the Golden State Warriors. That game will be aired on NBATV. The New Orleans Pelicans have had to open the past several seasons facing the Warriors early. This year it could actually benefit the team since Klay Thompson will not be back until later in the year.
The NBA has paired the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans on national television on a couple of holidays this year. The first comes when TNT broadcast the matchup on October 31. New Orleans is known to love Halloween game to really let loose.
Even though October is an NBA short month schedule-wise, the Pelicans open with five teams reasonably expected to push for a playoff spot. The only Eastern Conference team they face are the defending champs who will have a lot to prove without Kawhi Leonard.
The New Orleans Pelicans again get the holiday treatment from the NBA schedule makers.
October is a tough month, integrating new players, against expected playoff teams. Should the New Orleans Pelicans enter November with only one or two wins, the small sample size alone will be reason enough to remain calm. However, the New Orleans Pelicans hope to come out of November with a winning record.
The Pelicans open with a quick road trip that starts with a flight to play November 2 in Oklahoma City before heading off to Brooklyn November 4, which will be aired on NBATV.
Toronto makes their trip to New Orleans Friday, November 8th. Should the Pelicans suffer the worst fate opening night, with all of Toronto cheering like it is a playoff game, this would be New Orleans Pelicans fans chance to return the favor.
New Orleans plays their second back-to-back set, traveling to Charlotte for a game on November 9. If anyone were to look forward to the first blowout win that allows Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to get extended run, circle this date.
The Pelicans host Houston (Nov. 11) then the Los Angeles Clippers (Nov. 14) in a two-game weekday home set. The Rockets game that Monday will air on NBATV. The Clippers might be title favorites, but the Pelicans game might fall on the light side of the ledger in Kawhi Leonard’s load management schedule.
Zion Williamson gets his first business trip weekend in Miami (Nov. 16) but cannot party too hard. Under-aged millionaires have found their way into clubs before, but the Pelicans have to back to New Orleans to play the Golden State Warriors (Nov. 17) the next night.
Then it is on to what is surely the title of some bluegrass folk song, Portland on a Tuesday (Nov. 19). Jrue Holiday invites the Trail Blazers in his arena, no need for Anthony Davis. Coming out victorious would go a long way to solidifying any individual award campaigns. Could Holiday win MVP and Defensive POY honors? Find out on NBATV that night.
The New Orleans Pelicans then embark on a three-game jaunt to the west. First, the team stop in Phoenix (Nov. 21), then jumps up to Utah (Nov. 23) before ending against the Los Angeles Clippers (Nov. 24).
The Los Angeles Lakers then visit the day before Thanksgiving (Nov. 27). Anthony Davis will get the proper smug hello that all good southerners give to the most unwelcome family member at the gathering. ESPN will capture the pleasantries.
The Pelicans end the month against Chris Paul, playing at Oklahoma City on November 29. Paul played in Oklahoma City before, as a Hornet, during the post-Katrina seasons. Again a hospitable host, perhaps the Pelicans will be allowed to walk out with a win to end a grueling month.
The New Orleans Pelicans will get the Christmas Day treatment. Will it be a gift, or will the season’s playoff dreams be a wrap?
The New Orleans Pelicans open December with a week of home cooking. They host the Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 1), Dallas Mavericks (Dec. 3), and Phoenix Suns (Dec. 5) to start the month. Alvin Gentry knows a decent playoff team needs three straight home wins from that stretch of games.
The Pelicans then travel to face the Dallas Mavericks (Dec. 7) then host the Detroit Pistons (Dec. 9). A five-game win streak is possible when the team takes Zion Williamson to see Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks (Dec. 11).
New Orleans then travels to Philadelphia (Dec. 13). Brandon Ingram will battle Ben Simmons like he wants his contract. Derrick Favors will get to test himself against Joel Embiid. He must win battles against the big names to make an All-NBA name for himself.
However, those two games may end in tough losses no matter who is in the rotation. Alvin Gentry may sacrifice a few games as the Pelicans rest starters in the thick of an every-other-night game interval.
New Orleans is back home to host Orlando (Dec. 15) followed by Brooklyn (Dec. 17). Nikola Vucevic will test Favors while Kyrie versus Jrue in a battle of one-name guards will be the headlight fight that night.
The Pelicans are then off on a four-game road trip. Minnesota (Dec. 18), Golden State (Dec. 20), and Portland (Dec. 23) lead up to the Christmas Day feature against the Denver Nuggets.
The Pelicans are back in the Smoothie King Center to end the year. Indiana (Dec. 28) and Houston (Dec. 29) will fill the weekend before New Year’s Day. Will the Pelicans fans be tooting their horns and celebrating a winning record, or will all of that hope be like an old needle on a busted record?
The New Orleans Pelicans open the year against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The New Orleans Pelicans hope to be in contention for a playoff spot this season. Should that plan be going as expected, the away game against the Los Angeles Lakers (Jan. 3) would be the ultimate new year proving ground. If not, what better team to test a New Year’s resolution? ESPN sees the intrigue either way.
The Sacramento Kings welcome the Pelicans to northern California on January 4. Any hangover from the Lakers hype will have to be slept off on the flight to the California capital.
The Utah Jazz (Jan. 6) and Chicago Bulls (Jan. 8) come to the Smoothie King Center for the first home games of the new year. Derrick Favors will hear an extra decibel coming from the stands, as all the Pelicans fans want to see him best Rudy Gobert.
Zion Williamson will get the Madison Square Garden experience January 10. The New York Knicks fans might not have much too root for this late in the season. It would not surprise anyone if they started serenading Zion much the same they cheered LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other star players they wish were available.
The New Orleans Pelicans then travel to face the Boston Celtics (Jan. 11) and Detroit Pistons (Jan. 13). It’s not quite the old Boston Garden, but the Celtics have a young core that matches up well with the Pelicans. Jahlil Okafor should look forward to proving his new game works versus Blake Griffin.
The Utah Jazz will be back in New Orleans for the second time in ten days on January 16. They are already comfortable with the name, the Pelicans will not make the games comfortable. Setting the tone for any playoff series would be crucial for the Pelicans young team. Taking that attitude into the Clippers game January 18 would show the team is maturing into a contender. ABC will air the team’s progress.
Monday, January 20 the New Orleans Pelicans will play the Memphis Grizzlies. This should be a near-annual matchup regardless of draft lottery luck or previous season outcomes. Players are speaking out more than ever, building a culture of inclusion and education.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. has many different looks, depending on the city. Boston and Los Angeles being paired together made sense. Pairing New Orleans and Memphis was the most logical choice the schedule makers had to make.
The Pelicans then head back to the Crescent City for a three-game homestand against playoff contenders. The San Antonio Spurs (Jan. 22), Denver Nuggets (Jan. 24), and Boston Celtics (Jan. 26) will visit New Orleans in a six-day span.
New Orleans makes a quick business trip to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28. The veterans should circle this game to make a point about taking care of expected wins and being professional about approaching a full season. Rookie walls help no one when chasing playoff appearances.
The Pelicans return back to New Orleans to host Memphis on January 31.
The New Orleans Pelicans expect to be in the middle of a battle for playoff seeding. Only three teams on the schedule did not make the playoffs last season. One of those teams is the Lakers.
February will be the make or break month for the New Orleans Pelicans regardless of their place in the standings. Should the playoffs be attainable, the schedule this month could mean suffering a setback. Should the Pelicans need to play spoiler while rotating in the rookies, this schedule would measure how much more the team needs to improve.
The New Orleans Pelicans open the month at Houston (Feb. 2). Both teams should be settled into their rotations and well acquainted with one another. This game will be on ABC, giving all potential MVP candidates a stage to shine. Two days later, the Pelicans host Giannis and the Bucks (Feb. 4).
Next, the Pelicans take a road trip to the wintery midwest. The Chicago Bulls (Feb. 6) and Indiana Pacers (Feb. 8) host New Orleans. Both teams will flirt with a low playoff seed in the east but the Pelicans should expect to win at least one of these games.
The Portland Trail Blazers come to New Orleans on February 11. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will have to fight through Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball while been hassled by 18,000 fans. New contracts only count for off the court scoreboards. Holiday and Ball could earn new contracts with a good showing against league elite duos.
Oklahoma City visits again on February 13. It is not a Friday, but should New Orleans be ahead of Oklahoma City in the win column, Pelicans fans will be sure to remind Chris Paul many times.
Another brutal three-game trip west awaits to end the month. The Pelicans travel to Portland (Feb. 21), then Golden State (Feb. 23) before finishing at the Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 25). A home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (Feb 28) provides the team with a chance to end the month on a winning note.
March will be the busiest month for the New Orleans Pelicans. Their roster depth will be tested just as players’ legs begin to really get tired.
The New Orleans Pelicans play more games in March than any other month. The talent on the bench will be tested. Should the newly signed recruits fail to keep the team’s playoff chances afloat, some fans may question David Griffin’s moves.
The Timberwolves (March 1) and the Lakers (March 3) come to the Smoothie King Center to open the NBA version of March Madness. March 4, the Pelicans again visit the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers will be playing for a title all season. Should Minnesota, Dallas, and New Orleans have a chance at a lower seed, these games will be crucial to any tiebreaker scenarios.
Friday, March 6 the Pelicans play the Miami Heat in New Orleans. Then the team begins another Western Conference four-game road trip. The Pelicans stop at Minnesota (8th), Sacramento (11th), Utah (13th), and then Los Angeles (14th) to face the Clippers.
That is possibly the crucible of the season. Should the Pelicans survive that gauntlet with a couple of wins, they’ll be in good shape for the stretch run.
City rival Atlanta visits New Orleans on March 16 followed by divisional rival San Antonio on March 18. Any New Orleans team will always prioritize beating a squad repping Atlanta. it’s been that way since the cities existed. New Orleans hopes to mimic the Spurs championship culture along the way.
New Orleans travels back to Memphis (21st) before settling in for a three-game homestand. Sacramento (22nd), Memphis (24th), and New York (27th) will all be visiting the Smoothie King Center.
The New Orleans Pelicans close the month starting a four-game road trip. They first travel to face the Orlando Magic (29th) and Atlanta Hawks (31st). Before starting next month in Washington D.C.
Will the New Orleans Pelicans want to rip the band-aid off of wounds from failed playoff expectations, or feel like ripping shirts like playoff Supermen?
The New Orleans Pelicans start the last month of the regular season in the nation’s capital. John Wall will not be 100%, and Bradley Beal might be playing for a different team. The April Fools Day game against the Washington Wizards is another expected win on the calendar.
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The Pelicans can only control their situation though. The Pelicans should be feeling quite capital themselves should they start April with a win.
The Spurs (April 5) are the last team on the Pelicans four-game road trip. San Antonio is also the last game on the regular-season schedule, which ends April 15.
In between those two final games against the Spurs, the Pelicans have there longest home stretch. The New Orleans Pelicans will play trough three different four-game road trips. They only get one four-game homestand.
However, it is one of the easier run of games and could propel the Pelicans into a playoff spot. The Charlotte Hornets visit on April 7. They are a likely lottery team. Then the Phoenix Suns come to town on April 9. The Suns have potential but this late in the season should be playing for pride and development only. Same goes for the Washington Wizards, who will visit New Orleans April 13.
The Philadelphia 76ers come to the Smoothie King Center on April 11. If they have a top-two seed in the East locked up, they will be resting players to avoid injury. Joel Embiid would not be risked in a meaningless game.
So there it is, the New Orleans Pelicans schedule sectioned out by the month. It will be a long and grueling season, but the reward at the end will be well worth the winter wars waged. The only real question now concerns a different wager.
Will the New Orleans Pelicans make the playoffs this season? If not, which month will be the breaking point?