The NBA’s return-to-play format has a lot of advantages for the New Orleans Pelicans, who now have a legitimate path towards the playoffs.
The NBA is back and the New Orleans Pelicans are included.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA will bring back 22 teams to Orlando, the 16 playoff teams plus every team that was within six games of the 8th seed:
Sources: Joining the 16 current playoff teams in Orlando: New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Antonio in the West and Washington in the East. If the 9th seed is more than 4 games behind the 8th, No. 8 makes playoffs; Fewer than 4 games, a play-in tournament.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
The NBA did add some interesting wrinkles to the format that should benefit the Pelicans.
All teams will play eight regular season games, and if the 8th seed is not more than four games ahead, there will be a play-in tournament for the final spot.
This format not only ensures that teams will get some reps before they start playing do-or-die playoff games, but gives some of the fringe teams a legit path to the playoffs.
The Pelicans can control their own destiny, as they will get a chance to catch the Grizzlies outright, or to beat them in a three game series if they can get into the 9th seed and be within four games.
This couldn’t have worked out much better for the Pelicans, as they, like all the fringe teams, just wanted an opportunity to play meaningful games if they were going to risk their health, and that of their families and team staff, to finish the season.
It’s also good for the NBA, who not only gets to recoup some of the revenue lost to cancelled games, but also gets to tinker around with playoff formats that they might want to use in the future.
While there will be some built in advantages for Memphis, the New Orleans Pelicans have to feel good about their chances in this format.
Here is why this was a big win for the Pelicans.