Pelicans’ playoff odds present massive value amidst winning streak
By Peter Dewey
The New Orleans Pelicans have been a bit of a disappointment this season, tumbling into the play-in tournament picture in the Western Conference with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both missing significant time due to injury.
Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have only played 12 games together this season
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 12, 2023
(Via @WillGuillory ) pic.twitter.com/BY2V19XX1z
With Williamson on his way back from a hamstring injury, do the Pelicans have a shot to sneak into the postseason? Here’s how Vegas views them in the latest playoff odds:
Pelicans’ odds to make the playoffs in 2022-23 season
Will the Pelicans make the NBA playoffs?
While New Orleans may not be receiving any respect in the betting market to make the postseason, I actually think there is a ton of value on New Orleans.
If you look at every other team surrounding the play-in tournament, they too have injury concerns. Andrew Wiggins, Paul George, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons are all dealing with injuries at the moment.
So, with Zion hopefully on his way back within the next two weeks, the Pels aren’t in the worst spot.
Medical Update on Zion Williamson:
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 22, 2023
Following a re-evaluation on his right hamstring strain, Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to on-court activities. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
There are a couple reasons to consider sprinkling something on the Pelicans to make the postseason at +450.
First off, the team is back in the No. 9 spot after winning three straight games, and New Orleans is just 1.5 games back of the No. 6 spot, where it wouldn’t even need the play-in tournament to make the playoffs.
This team, without Williamson, showed last season out of the No. 9 spot that it could win back-to-back play-in games to make the postseason, and it could be in a similar spot this season.
A lot of the teams in the West are beating up on each other for these final play-in spots, so the fact that New Orleans is this low in the odds tells me that oddsmakers don’t believe in this team in a play-in scenario.
I can’t count the Pels out, even though they have the third toughest remaining schedule, as Williamson’s return could change everything. The Pels are 17-12 with Zion and 19-25 without him this season.
There’s no guarantee that the Pels make the postseason, but there is value in their latest odds to do so.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.