With only a month and a half left until the NBA regular season concludes, teams in the Western Conference are gearing up for a postseason run after making key additions to their lineups at the NBA trade deadline. The New Orleans Pelicans, led by star player Zion Williamson, are hoping to build on their impressive performance from last season, where they clinched the eighth seed and gave the Phoenix Suns a tough six-game series.
They are barely holding the 10th spot in the west as the Portland Trailblazers and Los Angeles Lakers are catching up. Zion is still out, but the 22-year-old power forward said that there is a playoff match-up that he is looking forward to…
Zion Wants Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies
Williamson, who missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a foot injury, has made a triumphant return to the court this season and is eager to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs once again. In a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Williamson expressed his hopes of facing off against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in the postseason.
The Pelicans currently sit at the 10th seed in the Western Conference, but with Williamson back in the lineup and the team making key acquisitions at the trade deadline, they are poised to make a strong push for a playoff spot. Williamson has been in top form since his return, averaging 26.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
“It would be a great playoff series, that’s all I can say,” Williamson said. “As a competitor, y’all want me to sit here and say I’m gonna lose? When I’m on that court, ain’t no friends. I just like to win, I love to win. If you want to be cool, we can be cool away from this. But when we’re on this rectangle, I’m going at you and I always believe in that.”
Will they be able to secure a spot in the playoffs and face off against Morant and the Grizzlies? Well, it will be a tough situation for the Pels as they are in 10th place right now, but there is a chance that they can meet the Grizzlies if they both remain in their current position.
New Orleans is dangerous.. when healthy. They secured a win during their first meeting this season, but Memphis emerged victorious in the next two meetings. They will have one final match in April, a few games before the regular season comes to an end.
New Orleans Pelicans Updated Odds
Despite their potential, the Pelicans face long odds to win the championship this season, with odds of +9000 on DraftKings Louisiana sportsbook. These odds suggest that the Pelicans are not among the favorites to win the NBA championship this season.
The Pelicans have shown flashes of brilliance this season, including impressive victories over some of the league’s top teams, but injuries are really hurting the team’s performance.
In addition to their championship odds, the Pelicans are also considered a long shot to win the Western Conference, with odds of +4000. This reflects the strength of the Western Conference, which features several elite teams, including the surging Denver Nuggets (43-19), Memphis (36-23), and even the dark horse Sacramento Kings (35-25)
With only a handful of games left in the regular season, the race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference is heating up. The Pelicans and Williamson are determined to make their mark and prove that they belong among the elite teams in the league.
