NBA: 10 teams looking to make a playoff push in the second half of 2017-18
New Orleans Pelicans
Record:
21-20 (8th in the West)
The Case:
There are two great reasons to believe in the New Orleans Pelicans this season: DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. These two big men have carried the Pelicans this season, putting up ridiculous numbers along the way. They are both in the top ten among all NBA players in points, rebounds and blocks. The supporting cast is still lacking but at least guys like E’Twaun Moore and Darius Miller have provided some spacing by shooting over 40 percent from 3.
The Pelicans are going to need as much help as they can get down the stretch but, in the end, it is going to come down to Cousins and Davis. If those two can continue to perform like they have so far, the Pelicans will have a good chance to get in. If not, it could be a troubling offseason for a franchise that wants to stay relevant while it still has Anthony Davis in his prime.