New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 Toughest Games Next Season

10. November 2 – vs. Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham’s stock went up every day he dominated the Team USA Select squad runs. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones were teammates on that squad. This will be the 3rd home game (and 5th overall), but their first against a projected lottery/fringe play-in team. Banking early wins helps ease the pressure off Willie Green, and after that, three of their next four are on the road (including a game against the Denver Nuggets).

9. November 25 – @ Utah Jazz

The Pelicans play the Sacramento Kings (11/22) at home, fly to Los Angeles (11/23), play the Clippers (11/24), have to deal with family obligations for Thanksgiving feast Facetime sessions while overnighting to Utah, face the Utah Jazz (11/25) on the second night of a back-to-back, and then play them again (11/27). Meanwhile, the Jazz have two days off in their own beds before the Pelicans even land at the airport.