Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 5 games the team can’t lose in midst of playoff race

By Willie Lutz

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Jrue Holiday #11 in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 02, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Jrue Holiday #11 in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 02, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes, Frank Ntilikina
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks passes under pressure from Jaxson Hayes #10 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2020 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Friday, March 27, 2020, New York Knicks @ New Orleans Pelicans

Anytime a team plays the New York Knicks this season, they’re hoping for a win, as the team is currently 19-42 and stumbling their way through the 2019-2020 season.

However, as the Houston Rockets learned after taking a loss to the Knicks on Monday night, wins are never a given in the NBA.

This game will be exciting for fans of the Duke Blue Devils, who will get to see former teammates in Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett share the floor as competitors for the first time in regular-season action.

Last time these two teams played, a Jan. 10 tilt at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks initially made it a close battle, but a 28-point outing from Brandon Ingram gave New Orleans enough star power to keep the game out of reach in the second half.

Playing on their home floor and needing every win they can get to make a run into the playoffs, there’s no reason for the Pelicans to let up against the Knicks at the end of this month.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans

Another team in a nosedive this season after losing Kemba Walker in free agency, the Charlotte Hornets are falling out of their own playoff race in the East.

Currently 21-40 and 6.5 games out of the playoffs, it seems almost impossible for the Hornets to keep their season alive with only 21 games left in their campaign.

Picking up their second win of the season on Nov. 9 against the Hornets, it will have been almost half a year since these teams have last squared off, that game in Charlotte.

In that outing, the Pelicans shot 42.4% from three and 53.3% from the field, while Ingram scored a torching 25 points and shot 8-of-12 from the field.

Hopefully, the North Carolina native in Ingram can keep his proficiency going against his home state Hornets.

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