Thursday’s loss to the Kings all but eliminated the Pelicans from playoff contention with just four games remaining.
Conference standings
8. Grizzlies (32-36) – Not in action on Thursday.
9. Trail Blazers 0.5 GB – One of the best teams inside the bubble, the Blazers knocked off the Nuggets behind Damian Lillard’s 11 threes and are a half-game out of the eighth seed.
10. Suns 2.0 GB – The talk of the Suns schedule should likely die down now as they are just simply playing great basketball.
11. Spurs 2.0 GB – Not in action on Thursday.
12. Kings 2.5 GB – Sacramento went from completely out of whack to above the Pelicans with exactly one win.
13. Pelicans 2.5 GB – Gone are the days of dreaming about the playoffs. Instead, the team looks closer to a top-ten pick.
Games to watch and rooting interests
San Antonio vs. Utah – The Spurs and Suns both have outside chances at making the ninth seed if the Blazers surpass the Grizzlies for eighth. They also are a half-game back from the 13th seed. Pelican fans should root for the Jazz.
Memphis vs. OKC – The thing the Pelicans need most is for Memphis to lose out and Portland to get the eighth seed, leaving the ninth seed up for grabs. OKC could continue Memphis’ losing run and Pelicans fans should hope they do.
Sacramento vs. Brooklyn – Like the Pelicans, the Kings will have a back-to-back on Friday. And like the Pelicans, it comes against a lower Eastern Conference team. The Nets could provide a huge helping hand to New Orleans on Friday.