The upcoming 7-game road-trip for the New Orleans Pelicans will determine the outcome of the team’s 2021 season
For the New Orleans Pelicans, the start to the 2021 NBA season hasn’t exactly been peachy. After looking formidable early in the season, this young team has stumbled out to a 4-5 start to the season.
Mental lapses, poor offensive performances, and turnovers have plagued the Pelicans to the point where fans are wondering if they can turn it around. Fortunately, the Pelicans will have a great chance to prove they’re a playoff team, starting tonight.
Tonight kicks off the Pelicans killer 7-game road-trip. Long road-trips are daunting for any team, but this stretch of games will be especially challenging for the New Orleans Pelicans. I believe that it’ll probably make or break their season. Here’s why!
Why this road-trip is crucial for the outcome of the New Orleans Pelicans’ season
Looking at this road-trip, I’ll start by just rattling off the Pelicans opponents. The Pelicans will play The Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz (twice), and the Minnesota Timberwolves in this stretch.
All of those teams are Western Conference teams, and they have a combined record of 33-25. Essentially the Pelicans will be playing for their playoff spot in these 7-games because they’re battling teams who are all in the mix for a playoff spot at this moment.
So what would be considered a success for the Pelicans in this trip? Well, I’d say they should aim to go 5-2 even though 4-3 is a bit more realistic. It’s unlikely that the Pelicans can go 7-0 or 6-1, but if they can aim to beat every team minus the LA ones then they’d be in great shape.
A 5-2 run would take the Pelicans to 9-7 which would put them in great shape to continue on a playoff push. In comparison, a 4-3 run would still have the Pelicans in the mix at 8-8.
However, if the Pelicans finish worse than 4-3 on this trip, they’ll be in bad shape. Any record under 4-3 leaves this team with a losing record. In turn, all of their Western Conference opponents who are winning will pass them up and create a hole that’ll be tough to dig out of.
If I’m Stan Van Gundy, that’s what I’m telling my team heading into tonight. Especially since they’re playing a Dallas Mavericks team who might have Kristaps Porzingis back. Here’s to hoping they start this road-trip with a win!