Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: 10 takeaways from the first quarter of the 2017-18 season

By Evan Dyal

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on October 24, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 110-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on October 24, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 110-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 30: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk during the game against the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 30: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk during the game against the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

The Pelicans may make the playoffs 

The last two spots in the Western playoffs will likely coming down to a battle between the Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Jazz, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Pelicans.

The Pelicans have remained relatively healthy thus far in the season, and have caught some breaks along the way.

Memphis lost Mike Conley indefinitely, the Jazz is without Gobert a few more weeks, and the Clippers are ravaged by injuries and have lost nine straight. All of this bodes well for the Pelicans. The twin towers have been destroying people, and that has been enough to make up for their weaknesses.

The good news is that the team is .500 with lots of experimenting. Things are starting to stabilize, plus Rajon Rondo is back. He won’t help with shooting but gives them another capable point guard who can help with rebounding and defense. Despite having the twin towers, the Pels are only 17th on the glass and 26th in defense. This team has holes obviously, but the twin towers are playing on another level, those two may be enough to take them to the playoffs.

Cousins is averaging 27.1 points and 13.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Davis is averaging 25.1 points and 11 rebounds. These numbers are real. Remember when people said these two couldn’t play together? They have a +5.5 net rating on the floor together.

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