On March 21, Beijing time, the Pelicans defeated the Hawks 117-112 away. After this game, the Pelicans and Lakers have a record of 30 wins and 41 losses. With a record of fighting each other, the Pelicans rose to ninth in the West and the Lakers fell to tenth in the West. If the playoffs start now, the Pelicans vs. Lakers, and the Pelicans have home-court advantage.
At present, the Spurs are 3 wins behind the Lakers, and with 11 games left in the regular season, they also have a chance to squeeze out the Lakers. And the Lakers' schedule is more difficult, the next five opponents are: Cavaliers, Philadelphia, Pelicans, Lone Rangers and Jazz, in addition to the Pelicans, the other four opponents are the top six teams in the division, can the Lakers withstand it?
The Pelicans have a much easier schedule, with the next five opponents being the Hornets, Bulls, Spurs, Lakers and Trail Blazers, with only the Bulls in the top six of the division. The Pelicans have been gaining momentum lately, and everyone can fight! In the first quarter of today's game against the Hawks, the Pelicans delivered nine steals across the team, equalling the team record (2004 and 2005).
Valanciunas became the Pelicans Keyman, playing 33 minutes, shooting 10-of-16, 1-of-2 from three-point range, 5-of-6 from the free throw line for 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. In the fourth quarter, the Hawks fought back wildly, Varan made 3 of 4 in the quarter, 4 of 5 from the free throw line, and had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. With the exception of him, the rest of his teammates scored just 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Another pelicans' main player, CJ McCollum, felt average today, shooting 9-of-26, 2-of-6 from three-point range and 5-of-6 from the free throw line, with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal. Today CJ and Trae Young are considered to be "exchangers", blowing sheep 5 of 14 shots, 5 of 3 three points, 8 of 8 free throws, 21 points, 5 boards, 10 assists and 7 turnovers, plus-minus -19, the lowest in the game.
After joining the Pelicans, CJ played in 15 games, averaging 26.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range. At the Trail Blazers this season, CJ averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three-point range. All data in pelicans have improved!
Remember how McCollum got to the Pelicans? On February 8 this year, the Blazers sent McCollum, Nance Jr., Snell, and got Josh Hart, Satoransky, Alexander Walker, Silva, one first-round pick of the year (1-4 pick protection) and two second-round picks. A big 3-for-7 deal that now looks like a win-win.
McCollum became the backcourt core for the Pelicans, and the Blazers got the younger Josh Hart. Today the Blazers lost 98-129 to the Pacers, Hart played only 30 minutes, 11 of 13 shooting, 3 of 5 three-pointers, 1-of-1 free throw, 26 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. In the last five games, Hart has averaged 28.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The Blazers are currently 12th in the West and are basically missing the playoffs, but the Pelicans can still make a dash. According to the current ranking, the Pelicans need to win two consecutive games in the playoffs to advance to the playoffs: 1. win over the Lakers first; 2. Win the loser between the Clippers vs Timberwolves. It's not easy for the Pelicans...
Ingram has been sidelined for two weeks due to sore right hamstring and Zion has had a hard time coming back this season, but thankfully they also have CJ and Varan. Netizens joked: This time it is really going to "replace the lake"! Finally, looking at this highlights, do you think the Pelicans will finally make the playoffs?