New Orleans Pelicans: Important games to follow for Pels’ play-in chances

The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Golden State Warriors tonight in the Smoothie King Center in a game that will likely define their season.

If they win, they will be back in the mix for the play-in tournament and with two more games remaining with the Warriors, would have a puncher’s chance to get there.

But the Pelicans aren’t just chasing the Warriors. The Spurs are the team directly in front of them, and the Memphis Grizzlies are just 4.5 games ahead with eight to play.

Catching any of them will be a long shot, but the Spurs have a tough remaining schedule and the Pels might be able to pick up a game on Memphis if they can just take care of business tonight at home vs. the Warriors.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be watching the scoreboard tonight as they try to keep their fledging playoff hopes alive vs. the Golden State Warriors.

New Orleans Pelicans: Two games to watch for the Pels’ play-in chances

In addition to tonight’s game with Golden State, there are two others that could have a big effect on the Pels’ chances to make the play-in tournament.

The Grizzlies are taking on the red-hot Knicks, who have been playing great lately, winning nine of their last ten and surging into the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Grizzlies will be at home but the Knicks are hoping to keep rolling and hold on to that 4th spot.

The Spurs will travel to Utah to take on the Jazz, who are currently tied for the best record in the NBA. That is a mark they would love to get, so the Spurs will have their work cut out for them on the road.

A Spurs’ loss coupled with a Pels’ win would put the Pelicans just 1.5 games back with a realistic chance of catching them.

But it all starts with the New Orleans Pelicans taking care of their own business, as a loss tonight would more or less end their season barring a miracle.