Three weeks ago, the idea of LaMelo Ball landing with the Pelicans seemed like a distinct possibility with the team mired in 13 game losing streak. Fast forward to the beginning of 2020 and the outlook for New Orleans looks drastically different.
Four consecutive wins, all coming against playoffs teams, and five victories in the last six outings have the Pelicans back in the hunt for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The fact they could even be considered in contention stems from the fact that the bottom of the playoff race in the West has been putrid this season.
After Thursday night’s results, the San Antonio Spurs hold the eighth seed with a 14-19 record. They only recently moved into that spot after recent losses from the Portland Trail Blazers. Paired with the Pelicans’ winning form of recent weeks have moved them to just 3.5 games back of the eighth seed.
The Pelicans are going to have opportunities to move up in the coming weeks as well. While the Lakers present a daunting test for New Orleans on Friday, the Pelicans will travel to Sacramento one night later to face the team directly above them in the standings. A home game against Utah offers another chance to gain ground against a playoff team after the Kings contest.
But it’s the stretch after that where the Pelicans could really do damage. Starting with a home game against Chicago, New Orleans will have three games in a four-game stretch against non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference. The lone playoff team the team plays in that road trip will be Boston.
Also looming in the near future is the return of Zion Williamson. The rookie had his first practice of the season and looks set to return likely this month. He will certainly bring a boost to the team, particularly if its a team still holding truer to its winning form than the one that lost double-digit games in a row.
For now, the cards are falling into place for the Pelicans to piece together a run and reenter the playoff race. It’s up to New Orleans now to take advantage of the opportunity.
[lawrence-related id=19317,19293,19274]