In a pivotal moment for the New Orleans Pelicans, they stand on the cusp of achieving a milestone unprecedented during the Zion Williamson era: distancing themselves from the looming specter of play-in-game territory. With the Phoenix Suns’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, the Pelicans have again reclaimed the coveted sixth playoff seed. However, solidifying their position requires a flawless performance in their final three regular season games. Their journey to secure a postseason berth kicks off Thursday night with a crucial matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
While the Kings may not hold the same prominence they enjoyed last season, where they clinched the third seed in the NBA playoff picture, they remain a formidable adversary for the Pelicans. Fresh off a 112-105 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, the Kings are eager to bounce back and pose a formidable challenge. This showdown marks the fifth encounter between the two teams this season, with the Pelicans emerging victorious in their last meeting with a 127-117 triumph on December 5th, led by Brandon Ingram’s stellar 30-point performance.
The Sacramento Kings find themselves in a precarious position as they vie for the final automatic playoff spot currently held by the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite being the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture, the Kings still have a chance to secure that coveted position. However, achieving this goal hinges on a series of favorable outcomes, including their performance in the remaining three games of the season and the results of the Pelicans’ final matchups. For Sacramento to clinch the spot outright, they must close out the season with a perfect 3-0 record and rely on the Pelicans to stumble in their last two games.
Under this scenario, Sacramento would finish with 48 wins, while New Orleans would settle for 47 wins. Crucially, the Kings would hold a potential tiebreaker against the Suns by a 3-2 advantage in the season series. However, the Kings could still slide to the ninth or tenth seed with one or more losses in their last three games, placing their playoff aspirations in jeopardy.
As the Pelicans prepare to face off against the Kings, containing their top scorer, De’Aaron Fox, emerges as a critical task. Fox has been a consistent offensive force for the Kings this season, averaging an impressive 26.6 points per game. To secure victory, the Pelicans must devise strategies to neutralize Fox’s scoring prowess and disrupt his rhythm on the court.
Additionally, minimizing the impact of Kings center Domantas Sabonis looms large for the Pelicans. Standing at 6’10”, Sabonis poses a formidable threat with his dominance in rebounds and assists, averaging 13.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Pelicans head coach has emphasized the importance of a small lineup to complement the capabilities of Zion Williamson. However, Sabonis’ versatile skill set presents a unique challenge, potentially necessitating adjustments to the Pelicans’ defensive approach.
Crucially, the Pelicans will rely on the consistency of their scoring options, with CJ McCollum maintaining his hot streak as a primary scorer during their recent stretch of games. Additionally, a standout performance from Trey Murphy III could prove instrumental, as evidenced by his impressive showing against Portland with 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. As the Pelicans brace for a showdown with the Kings, their ability to execute defensive strategies and capitalize on offensive opportunities will be paramount to securing victory and solidifying their playoff position in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Score Prediction
Add another victory to the Pelicans’ current streak as they close out the season series with the Kings.
Pelicans 113
Kings 107
