The New Orleans Pelicans are idle on Tuesday, but there are three matchups that will be important for them as they chase the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
With only 18 games to go, the New Orleans Pelicans are not completely in charge of their own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs. They are going to need plenty of help from their bench, as well as from the teams they are currently chasing.
The New Orleans Pelicans enter Tuesday night tied for the ninth seed in the competitive Western Conference, four games behind Memphis for the final spot in the playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans can only take care of their own business, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be watching the scoreboard on their night off.
Here are three games that will have a direct effect on the New Orleans Pelicans’ chances at making the playoffs.
Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic (29-35) will travel to Memphis for a matchup with Ja Morant and the Grizzlies that could affect the New Orleans Pelicans’ standings in the conference.
The Memphis Grizzlies (32-32) have gone just 4-6 over their last ten, but the Pelicans haven’t really been able to capitalize, picking up just one game in that stretch.
The Grizzlies are 18-14 at home and will look to protect the home court and pick up a half game on the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Magic are also the eight seed, but in the much-worse Eastern Conference. They are just 13-20 on the road, so it doesn’t bode well for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The bright side is that Memphis is allowing 113.6 points per game, so it’s possible the Magic offense can have a big night and get a win on the road.
Pelicans’ fans should be sending their most positive mojo to the Magic tonight.
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs, 8:00 PM ET
There is no way the New Orleans Pelicans are going to catch the seventh-seed Dallas Mavericks (39-26) , so they have to hope Dallas can take care of business in their matchup with in-state rival San Antonio.
The San Antonio Spurs (26-26) have lost two in a row and now find themselves a game behind the New Orleans Pelicans after briefly overtaking them last week.
The Spurs have been wildly inconsistent this year and find themselves in an unusual place, outside of the playoffs.
Dallas is not the greatest home team at 18-15, but they are amazing on the road, with a 21-11 record away from home. The Spurs are 15-14 at home, hardly dominant, especially when facing Luka Doncic and the high-scoring Mavericks.
The New Orleans Pelicans have to hope that Dallas will continue their strong play on the road, which will allow the Pels to pick up another half game on the Spurs. Dallas defeated the Pelicans last Wednesday, so they need to get one back.
The Pelicans have two more head-to-head matchups with San Antonio so it would be good to put some more distance between them and Dallas can help.
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Suns (26-38) will try for their third win in a row against the Portland Trail Blazers (28-37), who have lost two in a row and find themselves a half game behind the New Orleans Pelicans.
A win for Portland would put them in a three-way tie for the ninth seed and make things even more confusing in the Western Conference.
The Suns have played well of late, but are only 13-16 on the road for the season, while the Portland Trail Blazers have a 17-14 mark at home.
This hasn’t been the best home season for the Trail Blazers, as they usually enjoy one of the best home court advantages in the NBA. The Suns will look to take advantage behind Devin Booker, who scored 36 points in their last game, a win over Milwaukee.
Going into tonight’s games, the New Orleans Pelicans are still given a 60 percent chance to make the playoffs by Five Thirty Eight, but that could change by night’s end.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a tough three-game road trip against the Kings, Jazz and Clippers, so will likely need some help from the competition if they want to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff chase.