The New Orleans Pelicans are one of three teams currently fighting for the final spot in the Western Conference playoff stands. Currently, the team sits at No. 9, 1 ½ games back from the Oklahoma City Thunder for that final spot. The Phoenix Suns are also close behind making every win critical for the Pelicans. Getting a game against the NBA-best Golden State Warriors is certainly not ideal with just six games left in the regular season as they face off on Tuesday.
The Pelicans have lost 10 straight to the Warriors are hoping to avoid an 11th loss while also hoping this game is a preview to the first round of the playoffs. New Orleans was on a strong win streak before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers and now they need to get back on track in order to make the playoffs. New Orleans has a chance to overtake the Thunder who are slumping having lost three straight and five of their last six. They hold the tie breaker over Oklahoma City after regular season wins so chances are favoring the Pelicans at the moment. New Orleans have a strong schedule ahead of them, but currently sit 10-4 against the remaining teams they face.
Getting a game against the Warriors who have the best record in the league while having also clinched the playoff berth and No. 1 seed in the Western Conference is not ideal for New Orleans right now. Golden State is currently averaging 117.3 points per game in their last three matchups with the Pelicans while winning the last game without a majority of the team's starters. Everyone should be healthy for this game including Klay Thompson. However, New Orleans was also missing Anthony Davis and Omer Asik who are both expected to be back for this game.
The Warriors must worry about not getting complacent at this point in the season. The team set a franchise record for wins, but that does not mean postseason success is a guarantee. They are fresh off a loss to the Phoenix Suns which snapped a 12-game win streak and now the team is hoping to get someone momentum for the postseason.
