The Pelicans couldn't repeat the fantastic performance they had against the Warriors and suffered a blowout loss to Memphis to fall into an 8th-place tie with the Thunder. Both teams have only four games left in their schedule, and while the Pelicans have the tiebreaker, they also have the more difficult schedule.
Thunder’s easy schedule gives them edge for West’s No. 8 seed
The Thunder have an easier schedule than the Pelicans, at least on paper.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The postseason holds value for each team even if they’d be heavy underdogs to the Warriors. New Orleans made win-now moves to push for a postseason berth this year, while the Thunder are hoping to salvage what’s otherwise been a disastrous year filled with serious injuries to key players.
But only one of them will be able to salvage this season with a playoff appearance. Here is the schedule for both teams.
Thunder's schedule
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder should win this game because the Kings are a below-average offensive team ill-fitted to attack Oklahoma City's dreadful defense. Yet it's also possible DeMarcus Cousins won't suit up: Cousins has missed Sacramento's last two games with a sore right foot and it wouldn't be surprising if he's shut down for the season. Nik Stauskas and Rudy Gay also missed the game against Utah.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are a mediocre home team, but unlike the Kings, they have something to play for because they can still make the playoffs in the East. They got Paul George back and have currently won three in a row. This is a must win for the Thunder, as it's the only game left that should be a close contest between evenly-matched teams. A loss here would increase the Pelicans' chances greatly.
Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder
This should be a loss for the Thunder if the Blazers don't rest anyone, but Portland already has the fourth seed in the bag as division winners. The Blazers' chances of moving up to No. 2 or 3 are not high, so Terry Stotts might decide to exercise caution and give his stars a break. If everyone plays, the Blazers' offense should be too much for Oklahoma City, but it's hard to predict what Portland will do.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have already shut down Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio for the season and are only focusing on improving their draft lottery odds. The Thunder should win this one easily.
Pelicans’ schedule
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans
The Suns have bowed out of the playoff race and are giving minutes to youngsters Archie Goodwin and T.J. Warren. Yet they are still dangerous, since there is genuine talent in their starting lineup. It's possible they don't show up, since there's no motivation for them to try to win, but if they do, they have the firepower to make this a game. The Pelicans should win, but it might be closer than many imagine.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
The Pelicans have played the Rockets tough all season long, winning two of the three games and losing by only two points in the third. Houston is also shorthanded right now without Patrick Beverly and Donatas Motiejunas. That said, they are the better team and will be at home, where they have lost just 10 games all season. It will be hard for the Pelicans to win this one.
New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves
Unless New Orleans’ starters play heavy minutes against the Rockets on the front end of a back-to-back and are too tired to perform at their usual level, this one should be an easy win.
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have also had success over the Spurs this season, leading the season series two games to one. The Spurs, however, are playing at a superlative level right now and have been crushing better teams than New Orleans with ease lately. Gregg Popovich is notorious for resting players and could decide to give his starters the last game of the season off unless the Spurs are still fighting for seeding. The Pelicans' playoff hopes may hinge on Popovich's decision.
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The Thunder clearly have the easier schedule, with two games against inferior opponents to the Pelicans’ one. Yet even if they lose to the Spurs and Rockets and win the other two, New Orleans could make the playoffs if the Thunder lose against the Pacers and Trail Blazers because they hold the tiebreaker. In all likelihood, the battle for the West No. 8 seed will go down to the wire.
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