3 Games to Monitor for the New Orleans Pelicans Playoff Chase
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns, 9:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers (28-35) have been up and down all season, but have won two in a row entering their game with the Phoenix Suns.
The Trail Blazers got star point guard Damian Lillard back for their last game against the Wizards and he helped them get a big win over Washington.
The Trail Blazers are currently in the ninth seed, 3.5 games back of Memphis for the last spot in the playoffs. Portland is just 1.5 games ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, so a loss on the road coupled with a Pelicans’ win could have New Orleans right on their heels.
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After a promising start, the Phoenix Suns (24-38) fell back to earth with a thud. They have lost four in a row and have only won three of their last 10 overall.
The Suns are just 11-22 at home, which is one of the worst home records in the NBA. However, the Trail Blazers are equally bad on the road, also 11-22, so something will have to give when the two clash in Phoenix.
The New Orleans Pelicans shouldn’t have to worry too much about the Suns, as they sit two back in the 13 seed.
The Pelicans swept the season series against the Trail Blazers, but don’t play them again, so they will have to catch Portland without the advantage of a head-to-head game.
The Trail Blazers have to like their chances, as they have the sixth easiest remaining schedule and finally got Lillard back after he went out with an injury on February 12.
This is definitely a game to monitor, as Portland is a team the Pelicans will have to leapfrog if they want to get to Memphis.