New Orleans Pelicans Schedule: Big games lurking to close first half

The New Orleans Pelicans got their biggest win of the season against the Boston Celtics, a comeback overtime thriller that they hope they can build on to turn their season around.

But if you have watched the Pels this season then you know that it’s impossible to guess which team will show up and it wouldn’t be shocking if they backed up their most impressive win with another loss to the last-place Pistons. That’s just the kind of season it has been.

The New Orleans Pelicans are now just 2.5 games out of the 8th seed and with another half of the season to go, still have a good chance to make a run at the playoffs, especially the way Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball have been playing.

They have just six games remaining before the All-Star break and the Pels can’t let up now, as they have some crucial upcoming matchups that could decide how the second half will go or if they will be buyers at the trade deadline.

New Orleans Pelicans Schedule: Big upcoming games

The Pelicans final six games of the first half will be against the Pistons, Bucks, Spurs, Jazz, Bulls and Heat.

Of these, two are games that they absolutely cannot lose, as the Pistons and Bulls are not good teams and the Pels have already lost to both of them this season. Another loss to the Pistons in particular would be catastrophic.

The Miami Heat game is also very winnable, though the Heat have been playing better of late and have already beaten the Pels once this season.

That leaves the Bucks, Spurs and Jazz.

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Bucks in their only matchup this season and hope to do it again as the first half winds down.

They also beat the Spurs, but the Spurs are never an easy game and have been much better of late, a surprise 6th seed in the loaded Western Conference.

The Utah Jazz have been the Pels’ nemesis for several seasons now and have already beaten the Pels handily in both of their games this season. This is not a game I’d expect the New Orleans Pelicans to win given that the Jazz have been the NBA’s best team and have only lost six so far.

A split in these final six games before the All-Star break is a must, but if the Pels could win four of six, it might propel them into the playoff discussion.

The New Orleans Pelicans need to keep up the intensity and close the first half strong if they want to have a chance at the playoffs this season.