Pelicans, Lakers show why NBA play-in tournament works

The New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers have a game looming on Friday with huge implications for the NBA play-in tournament.

The Pels hold a half game lead for the 9th seed over the Lakers (as of now, LA plays Utah tonight), which would not only give them home court advantage in the play-in game against LA but would greatly increase the odds that they get to keep the 2022 NBA Draft pick the Lakers owe them.

Some fans (mainly those in Minnesota this year) have complained about the NBA play-in tournament being unfair to the 7th and 8th seeds, and there is some validity to those complaints.

Minnesota is 10 games ahead of the Pelicans, has a winning record and probably feels they shouldn’t have to play their way in after having a winning season that would have nabbed them a guaranteed playoff spot in years past. They’ve been the better team all season and the regular season should matter.

I get the argument, as the Pelicans are 33-43, not a record you’d usually associate with a playoff team. But I think this Pelicans vs. Lakers drama is actually proof that the play-in is working.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Interesting teams playing meaningful games

Prior to the NBA play-in tournament, the Pelicans, Lakers and Spurs’ seasons would pretty much be over, as they are all at least four games back of the 8-seed Clippers and would need a huge collapse and a miracle to catch them.

Instead, these three teams are playing meaningful games, which is much better for fans and keeps teams invested in winning instead of tanking for lottery position late in the season.

This Pelicans vs. Lakers game on Friday is going to be fun because there is so much on the line, which is exactly what fans want.

The play-in also gives teams like the New Orleans Pelicans time to recover from early season injuries or poor starts.

Teams have a little more wiggle room to get players back from injuries, which the Pels hopefully will soon with Zion Williamson and already have with Brandon Ingram. Without the play-in the Pels might have just shut Brandon Ingram down for the season with nothing on the line and certainly wouldn’t consider bringing Zion back.

How is that good for fans?

And is there anyone who doesn’t want to see the Pels take on the hated Lakers in the Smoothie King Center in a do-or-die game for a chance at the playoffs and a possible lottery pick on the line?

Are there fans who don’t want to see LeBron James, who is leading the league in scoring at age 37, try to fight his way into the playoffs?

The NBA play-in tournament may be slightly unfair to the 7th seed in certain years, but it keeps more teams in it and sets up drama like we’ll have on Friday, and if you don’t want to see that then I suggest taking up a new sport.